Reigning premiers Newcastle begin what looms as the toughest of A-League title defences when the competition's Pre-Season Cup kicks off tomorrow.
The Jets will face Perth Glory in Mandurah tomorrow in the first round of competitive fixtures this season, just six months after claiming their first A-League title with a 1-0 grand final win over Central Coast.
Defending the title would be a huge feat for the Jets, who find themselves in a rebuilding phase after losing several pivotal players to their A-League rivals following their success last year.
Johnny Warren Medallist Andrew Durante signed with Wellington while young stars Mark Bridge and Stuart Musialik were part of Sydney FC's cashed-up recruitment drive.
Newcastle will also be without star defender and captain Jade North until September following his Olympic selection.
While not putting the focus on results in the Pre-Season Cup, Jets coach Gary van Egmond said it was vital for his team to get into the right mindset for the season ahead.
"It's important that we have the right mentality for the whole season and that's going to be very, very important for us this year," van Egmond said.
"It was good last year and it's going to have to be as good this year if not better because we won last year and people will want to knock you off because you're the reigning premiers.
"That's what success does and that's what you've got to embrace -- you've got to try and show why you are the best team."
Despite a high turnover of personnel, the Jets have retained last year's player of the year Joel Griffiths, who has returned from a stint with Japanese second division side Avispa Fukuoka.
Van Egmond said the striker was determined to come back an even better player this season and would play some part against the Glory.
Sydney FC's pre-season campaign suffered a huge blow today with marquee signing John Aloisi ruled out for up to six weeks with a foot injury.
The Socceroos striker, who was already set to miss Sydney's pre-season opener against Queensland at Campbelltown tomorrow due to suspension, will now almost certainly miss his side's A-League season opener against Melbourne on August 16.
"You've got to cope with these sorts of things. But look it's better that it happened now than in season, much better," Sydney FC coach John Kosmina said.
In Sunday's matches, Melbourne face Adelaide -- who are searching for their third straight pre-season title -- in Launceston while the Central Coast will play the Phoenix at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.
At the completion of the group stage, the teams that top each of the two groups will meet in the final, to be played on August 6.
Victory coach Ernie Merrick agreed the Cup was mostly about displaying the right attitude but said it was a coveted title among the A-League teams.
"We're really keen to win this competition and that means we've got to get the right attitude from now," Merrick said.
