Adelaide United's A-League Women's team are determined to finish 2022 on a high note against Newcastle as they launch into their bid for a second consecutive finals berth and their first silverware.
The Reds sit fourth with four wins and one loss after after five rounds and will play the Jets away at the No.2 Sportsground on New Year's Eve to round out the year - which included earning a maiden finals appearance last season.
"We're hopeful to finish this year the way we started it which is really positively," coach Adrien Stenta said.
"We're realistic about where we're at as a group but we've got some big ambitions as to where we can get to and that starts with our next match.
"The club is moving in the right direction and 2022 is an example of that.
"We know that we've got some bigger hurdles to climb and we're looking forward to what 2023 will bring because we feel like there's something special in this group and we're looking forward to doing what we can to unleash that."
Newcastle have leaked goals so far this season, shipping 18 in six games, and sit ninth.
But they have also scored 10 goals, with American striker Sarah Griffith particularly dangerous.
"Newcastle have the ability to play really attractive, attacking football," Stenta said.
"They've got some dangerous players, especially in their attack that can hurt opposition and we've seen them be able to put some scoreboard pressure on and score goals.
"But we do feel like there are some opportunities for us, as there are every week, to hurt the opposition or to gain a bit of an advantage.
"We'll go there with a set game plan in mind and then it's up to the players to execute. But as I've said all year, we feel like if we are able to execute, then we can beat anyone we come up against on any given day."
