Matildas playmaker Emily van Egmond is confident Newcastle can kick on and thrive in the A-League Women after her four-game guest stint ends.
Van Egmond signed a short-term deal with her hometown club to play under father and coach Gary van Egmond.
That stint, which has delivered one win and two tight losses, plus two goals and two assists, will end after Sunday's home clash with Western United.
"The girls have gone from strength to strength, honestly, since I've been here," van Egmond told AAP.
"The performance (a 1-0 loss) against Sydney FC - I think that speaks for itself. I played 45 minutes obviously coming back after jetlag and a busy trip with the Matildas.
"The girls definitely held their own and they're performing and playing some really nice football.
"It's been really enjoyable. They have an amazing work ethic and I think the performances have been really good - we just haven't had much to show for it.
"So hopefully this week we can get three points and I can finish this guest stint on a high."
Van Egmond's time back home capped off a successful NWSL season while she also played a key role in the Matildas' Women's World Cup charge.
"It's been good for me. This year I've had a really good year personally," she said.
"Got some silverware in America which was amazing - second year in the league and we won the shield, which is huge.
"Obviously Matildas speaks for itself with a massive year for us, it was really good.
"And to come back and play here and get some games in, especially two before the last window we had with the Matildas in November, and be back under my dad has been really enjoyable.
"I love learning off of him and it's been really good. He gets the best out of me and the way the girls are playing at the moment it's been really positive here in Newcastle."
Newcastle enjoyed a 3800-strong crowd in their most recent home game and van Egmond hoped the expanded league could also kick on to bigger and better things on and off the field.
"It's changed obviously a lot since I was back here last," van Egmond said.
"If I'm being honest, I think it's got a ways to go for it to keep improving.
"But look, the resources are being poured into it now and the visibility of it, I think, is always on the way up and that's promising.
"So hopefully, we can continue in the right direction and it's just great that some of these younger players are getting a chance."
