AGELESS Jets defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley has flagged his intention to play on next season but for now his focus is on the next six weeks and pushing for a finals berth.
Topor-Stanley and fellow senior statesman Nigel Boogaard are off contract at the end of the season.
Neither has showed any signs of slowing down or dropping form.
Topor-Stanley, who turned 36 earlier this month and has made 330 A-League appearances, hasn't missed a game in four seasons since rejoining the Jets for a second stint.
"I feel good," Topor-Stanley said. "Mentally, I am in a good space. As long as I am wanted and feel I can contribute - and I certainly feel that way - I will put my hand up to go around again."
For now, a more pressing matter is arresting the Jets' recent slide of three straight losses. On Sunday, they tackle Adelaide - an outfit they were defeated by 2-1 less than a fortnight ago - in the second games of a historic double-header at McDonald Jones Stadium. Brisbane take on Wellington in the curtain raiser.
The Jets are in 11th place on 11 points and while the table is congested, Topor-Stanley knows the next month will go a long way to shaping the table.
"We are only eight points adrift of second place with half the season to go. It is very tight," Topor-Stanley said. "We can't afford any more little lapses. If mistakes happen there needs to 10 other shirts around to fix the problem. It's about accountability. It's not just one person, it starts from the top and everyone doing their job to the best of their ability.
"There are the tiniest margins in sport that make the difference between winning and losing. It's matter of being on the right side. Making that extra run at the other end of the field that makes a difference in front of our goal and vice versa."
Creative spark Ramy Najjarine is expected to return from an ankle injury for the Jets.
"He is a top, young talent," Topor-Stanley said. "Obviously, he needs to get himself fit and he is getting there. We need quality players who are fit, ready to go and pushing each other at training."
The A-League double-header is part of an action packed six weeks of sport in Newcastle.
A qualifying series of the Champions League Asia Pacific will be held on Newcastle harbour starting Saturday. The final is part of SailFest on April 10-11.
The globe's best surfers will converge on Merewether Beach for the Rip Curl Newcastle Cup (April 1-11).
The AON women's University Rugby Sevens will be held at No.2 Sportsground on April 11-12 and is followed by the Regional Academy Games the following weekend.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the series of sports events would provide an economic boost and "create a buzz across the region".
"From all the action of the historic A-League double-header, to the excitement of welcoming the world's best surfers back to Newcastle for the Rip Curl Newcastle Cup, there will be plenty to keep sports fans entertained," Cr Nelmes said.
"Events and festivals are providing a welcome economic boost for businesses still recovering from the impacts of COVID-19, while also creating invaluable opportunity to showcase our city's broader attractions to the visitors on the ground and those watching the televised events across Australia and around the world."
