EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle defender Adam D’Apuzzo says the new six-team finals format is a winner as the Jets eye fourth spot ahead of tonight’s rescheduled clash with North Queensland Fury.
The FFA expanded the finals from a top four to a top six series to accommodate the two new teams in this season's competition.
While some players and commentators have expressed doubts about the format - saying it could reward mediocrity - D'Apuzzo says the added excitement of the race for five and six has been a success.
"Believe it or not, I was actually thinking about this during the week," the 23-year-old Jet told au.fourfourtwo.com from Townsville.
"It's good, it's good for the game. With new teams, positions on the ladder have been chopping and changing. I mean, we were last at one stage.
"I know finishing sixth would be a bit of a chore - I think you'd have to win a few games in a row to make the grand final and you'd have to play games away - but it gives teams a second chance by having a top six.
"I think it's been a good thing for the league. It's good for the game. Hopefully people can see that and get more involved."
Both Perth Glory and Wellington Phoenix took the opportunity to leapfrog the Novocastrians this weekend after Saturday night's round 25 match against Fury at Dairy Farmers Stadium was postponed due to the heavy rain caused by tropical Cyclone Olga.
It makes it a crucial week for the Jets. Three points tonight and an F3 derby on Saturday in Gosford will have a huge bearing on where they finish in the six.
Newcastle skipper Matt Thompson knows full well the importance of this week. In the context of the Jets' campaign to go from wooden spoon winners to finalists in one season under coach Branko Culina, this week will be huge with an F3 derby to follow on Saturday.
"We want to make sure that we get that home final, so we have to make sure that we start tomorrow [Tuesday] with three points because if we lose we make it very hard on ourselves, not only for the next two games but if we get into the top six it's going to be a very tough run to go all the way," he said.
And after six days in cyclone-affected Townsville, the Jets are eager to get out on the park. They trained outdoors on Sunday and Monday as the weather slowly cleared although it's still very humid, said D'Apuzzo.
He added the extended time away has been bizarre and at times fun.
"We try keeping ourselves busy," he said. "We went bowling, played poker, and watched movies. I watched Couples Retreat. I've been waiting to watch that. Vince Vaughn always produces a laugh.
"It's given us time to bond together. It was the same when we went away with the Asian Champions League. It's been okay. We'll see if it's a good thing come tonight.
"But the weather has been quite an experience. It's been quite weird. To drive on roads that are under water..."
D'Apuzzo isn't sure how the near-week spent in the North will affect the Jets, preferring a wait and see approach.
"If we win it was an advantage," he said. "If we don't win it was a disadvantage. We'll see tonight.
"We've been calling it Cyclone Wheelhouse because Jobe collects a few players out on the park. He's a bit of a cyclone himself."
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