The Jets have gone from the wooden spoon to second place on the A-League ladder in less than 12 months, and last weekend knocked off defending champions Sydney FC with just 10 men.

Just over 18,000 people were there at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday to see the Jets clinch a thrilling 2-1 win.

Newcastle's attendances hve been up significantly this season after several years of chronic under-performance.

Local product Kantarovski believes the home crowds have made a "massive difference". 

"I think you can see the support we’ve gained through the whole season, from the start of the year, and even in pre-season matches, we were getting good turnouts," he said.

"The way that’s progressed during the season, I think that’s had a big impact on not just us but the whole town. There’s a lot of support coming from within the whole community, which is a credit to the club and the community really.

"They’ve both been working together to achieve the same thing. It’s been unbelievable.

"I think the atmosphere that the fans created for us probably pushed us over the edge in the end [on Saturday] and got us through with the win, so it was an unbelievable feeling and to go out and get that sort of result in front of that sort of crowd.

“It just really showed where the team is at and how good we’re doing this season.”

Kantarovski said there has been a focus on entertainment and playing exciting football to thrill the crowds this season.

"I think the way we’ve been playing – upbeat, positive football, it’s come as no secret,” the central midfielder said.

"Ernie talks about it week in, week out. We’re here to entertain, so that’s what we strive to do every training session. I think you can see that in the way we play our football. That’s a credit to Ernie’s philosophy and the way he wants to play his football.

"I think we’re hard to break down in defence but we’re also there, not to play pretty football, but be attractive and bring in the crowds like we’ve been doing."