NEWCASTLE, Australia (Interstat) — The Newcastle Jets opened their A-League season with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Western Sydney W on Saturday at McDonald Jones Stadium, overcoming an early deficit with a second-half winner from defender Mark Natta.

Playing before a home crowd, the Jets conceded first but rallied to secure three points, defying a pregame projection that had forecast a draw. The win immediately placed Newcastle atop the early table with a perfect record, while Western Sydney W began its campaign with a defeat.

The visitors struck first against the run of play in the 20th minute. Substitute Bozhidar Kraev, who had just entered the match, found the net to give Western Sydney W an unexpected lead. The goal silenced the home supporters and put the Jets under pressure.

Newcastle responded before halftime. In the 47th minute, midfielder Eli Adams leveled the score, converting an opportunity to send the teams into the break tied 1-1.

The second half saw increased intensity, reflected in a pair of yellow cards. Western Sydney W’s Phillip Čančar was booked in the 53rd minute, and Newcastle’s Dylan Scicluna received a caution in the 76th.

The decisive moment came just one minute after Scicluna’s booking. In the 77th minute, defender Mark Natta rose to meet a cross and powered a header into the goal, completing the turnaround and putting the Jets ahead 2-1. The assist was credited to Scicluna, who contributed immediately after his caution. Čančar was also credited with an assist on Western Sydney W’s earlier goal.

The Jets managed the final minutes effectively, seeing out the match to claim the victory. The result improved Newcastle’s record to 1-0-0 in A-League play and across all competitions this season. Western Sydney W fell to 0-1-0 in both their league and overall record.

Pregame analytics from Interstat had given the Newcastle Jets a 78.9 percent probability to win but had simulated a final score of a 1-1 draw. The Jets’ performance ultimately exceeded that specific scoreline projection.

The match highlighted the impact of substitutes, with three of the four direct goal contributions coming from players who began the game on the bench. The victory provides a positive start for Newcastle Jets as they look to build momentum in the early phase of the 2025-26 A-League season. Western Sydney W will aim to rebound from the narrow road loss in their next outing.