W-League: Young fullback Tiana Jaber taking opportunity with Newcastle Jets

That is exactly what the Sydney 20-year-old got when thrust into the starting side against Perth in Perth on Monday night in place of 11-times capped Matilda Gema Simon.

The Jets co-captain and left-back was ruled out of the Perth trip due to concussion.

"I've just been waiting and training really hard and making sure I was prepared for when the time came," Jaber said.

"I'm really happy with how the game went and stoked we got the win. I had a lot of pressure filling in for Gema but it was my chance I've been waiting for for two years, so I had to be strong, make all my tackles, do my job, put in the crosses and make sure they didn't score. I think I did that pretty well."

It was Jaber's first start for Newcastle and her second appearance after being used for the final 10 minutes in a 4-1 win over Western Sydney in round five.

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The young defender was used only once by Wanderers in her first W-League campaign last season. She came to the attention of Jets coach Ash Wilson while playing for Sydney University in the National Premier League NSW Women's.

"I really wanted more of an opportunity to be more of a starting player and I knew Jets had a really good culture and they use more of their young players," Jaber said.

"I've learnt a lot at training this season, just watching Gema and Hannah Brewer train. Hopefully I can get more game time and we can get more wins to finish off the season strong."

Newcastle beat Perth 4-0 in the round-11 match and are now eyeing more points against Melbourne City in Melbourne on Sunday.

Simon is being monitored this week and a decision is yet to be made on whether she will play.

Wilson was happy with Jaber's 90-minute performance in Perth.

"I thought Tiana had an excellent starting debut for us," Wilson told the Newcastle Herald.

"With the ball she was calm and looked to contribute to our attack positively, and defensively she was solid.

"It was a physically challenging game and she showed she was able to be competitive and strong, which for someone who has gone from not being in the game-day squad to playing 90 minutes is a testament to the way she continues to apply herself week in and week out at training.

"As a defender sometimes that's the nature of the position, particularly in the women's game when we can only announce a limited bench. It may be the case of not being included to having to start. Tiana has understood that position and continued to prepare herself for the opportunity and against Perth she performed her role very well."

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