I'M A bit of a punter.

 Not big enough that I need ring G-Line, but, evidently big enough to get rather excited about the prospect of making a stunning return courtesy of first goal scorer odds, second guess my instincts for a more fairytale outcome, then suffer the consequences of not going with my gut feeling inside 12 minutes at EAS yesterday.

A last minute decision after I woke up on Sunday morning considering the plusses of Jason Hoffman being the first to bulge the back of the net saw me swap to the affable Italian, Fabio Vignaroli, in the goal scoring stakes. It wasn't greed, surely, considering Vignaroli represented only $1 better value than Hoffman, just the sheer fact I figured the ex-Lazio man could cap his home coming the best way how.

My decision seemed justified during the warm up - Hoffman blazing a volley high, wide and handsome from just six yards out. Then, soon after kick off I turned to my Dad to let him know just how good I was as Vignaroli lined up a free kick from the edge of the 18, only for it to whisk inches wide.

Of course, the rest is history, and whilst I lost a little, Hoffman gained a lot.

First of all, the ex-Hamilton Olympic youngster's first A-League goal should now shed much of the weight of a city off his undoubtedly talented shoulders. Anyone who has been to Ray Watt Oval for a Jets training session would know just what Hoffman is capable of - producing it in games has always been his trouble.

Be it a change in coach (not that Gary Van Egmond was a doubter), positional switch or a turn in luck, Hoffman has now set the platform for what could be a breakthrough year.

With his confidence up, Hoffman should relish running off the shoulder of experienced marksman Sasho Petrovski, striding into the gaps created by cunning midfielder Vignaroli and getting on the end of opportunities created by the rejuvenated, resplendent Jin-Hyung Song.

Furthermore, with an Under 20s World Cup in Egypt fast approaching, Hoffman will know good form is imperative if he's to be on the plane to Cairo. It may prove bad news for the Jets if they're to lose Hoffman in just over a month's time - along with, potentially, the likes of Naidovski and Kantarovski too - but great news in the meantime.

I'll stop before I get ahead of myself, but for mine, Hoffman showed many a great sign in yesterday's crucial win. Think Matt Simon two seasons ago and the comparisons abound.

Simon took a year to find his feet before netting in the first game of the year and transforming into one of the league's best strikers. Hoffman banged in two and now, given the backing of a club, has the opportunity to do the same.

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A quick word on Chris Triantis: How much did his Jets debut remind you of James Holland's a couple of years ago? Both on short term injury waivers, both thrust into the deep end, both in central midfield, both against Wellington Phoenix, and both had great games. Give the boy a contract ASAP.