The Jets played three games this week, after facing Melbourne Victory last Sunday, Gold Coast on Wednesday and finally Brisbane Roar on Saturday, where they ran out 2-0 winners.

Culina said: "It's been a tough week for us, Sunday (against Melbourne) with ten men for about sixty minutes, backing up against a very good side in Gold Coast on Wednesday, and then two days later against Brisbane Roar, who were determined to try to get back on the winning track.

"Credit to the players they have bounced back really well with only a few days to recover."

Newcastle claimed two wins from the three matches and have all but confirmed their spot in the A-League finals, as they now sit fourth some eight points clear of the chasing pack outside the six.

Culina, though, admitted his side had to work hard in Brisbane after a sluggish opening half.

"We felt we weren't in the game in the first half. In the second-half Matthew Thomspon and Michael Bridges worked well in tandem, it was a good balance and it clicked between the midfield and the attack which gave us what we were looking for," Culina said.

He added: "So I'm very pleased. We had a scrappy first half but we made a few adjustments at half-time and that seemed to have done the trick."