"I don't think I've been involved with a team that wants to learn so much. They're always asking questions of myself and also [coach] Gary Van Egmond," Griffiths told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"We're always going to be an exciting team under Gary Van Egmond – and the young guys always want to learn which is good."

Feeding off Griffiths' forward runs this season will be a raft of exciting youngsters many of whom have yet to to celebrate their 21st birthdays: Kaz Patafta, Jin-Hyung Song, Jason Hoffman, James Holland and Jason Naidovski.

There's even a 16-year-old in the Jets ranks – midfielder Ben Kantarovski.

Added Joel: "It's a positive because they have a good head on their shoulders. As long as they keep learning and working hard. And I'm sure they'll reap their rewards."

As for his elder statesman role, Griffiths agreed his game is maturing.

"I think my game has changed and it's getting better each year, like a fine wine," he said. "You get all this knowledge about formations and how to play.

"I guess the veteran tag doesn't sit well with me, I prefer being called Big Daddy."

One player the Socceroo is hoping to strike up a zinger of a partnership with is Edmundo Zura – the Jets' new Ecuadorian marquee signing. Griffiths is quietly confident about the budding strike duo.

"I don't want to start creating headlines saying we're going to score a bunch but we've got to get to know each other first and get some combinations.

"It's very green right now in terms of how and where he likes the ball but what I've seen so far, there are a lot of possibilities. We've got the ingredients...we can score goals together. I'm very much looking forward to playing with him."

And this Friday night at EA Stadium will see the opening A-League night of the all-new Jets in the grand final rematch with the Mariners. Griffiths says the Jets cannot dwell on the fact that Zura and Danish striker Jesper Håkansson arrived late (Håkansson will be missing through injury for this game).

"It would be ideal to arrive earlier but it's a reality and how we deal with it. If we starting worrying and whinging then we'll get nothing done.

"They're here now, and I think they're looking forward to the new season just as I am."

And Griffiths is well aware that their fierce rivals from just down the F3 want revenge after the controversial end to February's grand final, won 1-0 by the Jets.

He says the Jets will remain in a "positive" frame of mind. "We know it's [revenge] in the back of their minds, but for us that was last season.

"We've got a game plan. It doesn't bother me. We'll stick to the game plan. Last year is done. It's in the history books. That's the attitude we've got to have."