The Jets went from wooden spooners to hosting the 2017/18 Grand Final which they lost 1-0 to Melbourne Victory.

Expectations are now higher for Newcastle, who managed to retain the core of their 2017/18 squad, albeit with goalkeeper Jack Duncan, youngster Riley McGree, imports Patito Rodriguez and Wayne Brown departing.

Matthew Ridenton heads the other way as their sole signing of note, but the pressure is on the Jets to replicate last season’s heroics.

Georgievski said the mood from last year had only improved and the squad would be stronger for it.

“I feel the same. I can honestly say that,” he said.

“The difference is now everybody believes. From last year to this year, that’s the only change.

“We’re still a tight group, we’re still positive, we’re still happy and Ernie is still the same. It’s a massive positive to go forward.”

The ex-Melbourne Victory defender said he was confident in the squad despite their lack of additions.

“Ernie (Merrick), Joel (Griffiths) and Lawrie (McKinna) have brought some good replacements in,” he said.

“We still hold the same mentality and group of personalities in the changerooms.”

The 22-time Macedonia international added that he felt the Jets would embrace becoming the hunted and had tweaked their game style already.

“When you perform well in any league in the world that’s how it is,” Georgievski said.

“It’ll be a bit different this year but we’ve tweaked our game and you have to.

“Newcastle was a team last year where teams had a laugh but now it’s a team they want to beat.

“It’ll be a bit harder for us.”

He added: “I think we just have to do the same thing as last year. The pressure comes with the territory.

“The boys handle it well. We don’t let it in the changerooms.

“We still have to do our job day-in day-out. We tweak it a bit, because we’re now the hunted.”

The Jets will play the Young Socceroos in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Thursday.