Newcastle Jets weathered an early storm from their cross-freeway rivals to run out comprehensive 2-0 victors over Central Coast Mariners, at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Paul Okon’s men started with flair and flourish - Kwabena Appiah coming closest in the first half - but couldn’t make their advantage count.

The Jets hit back in the second, with Dimi Petratos breaking the deadlock and Patricio Rodriguez making his debut by clinching the win for Ernie Merrick’s men.

The Mariners’ Tom Hiariej always has a grin on his face, and was remaining positive after the loss.

“I think it was a game with not many chances,” Hiariej said. “If you don’t score, you get them in your own net.

“We played high and were really dangerous, but not good enough. We still believe, we play really good, we just need to finish our chances.”

Wayne Brown is a slightly less effervescent character, but confidence is growing within him, and the rest of his side.

“I think we’ve put in the hard work in the offseason and we’ve brought in quality,” Brown said. “The boys up front can score in every game.

“We forced it a little bit, but in the second half we came out and put it away.

“It’s about belief and winning mentality. Winning breeds confidence, and we’ve shown we can come back and get the win.

“(Rodriguez) was only on for half an hour and he’s got that touch, like Ronny Vargas, if you jump in they can make you look a bit silly, so I’m glad he’s on our side.”