AFTER a disrupted pre-season, Marko Jesic is finally starting to show the form that had the luckless Jets striker once rated a future Socceroo. The 23-year-old produced a deft back heel to set up a Ryan Griffiths goal in the Jets’ 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar in the inaugural Northern Inland Football Challenge at Scully Park, Tamworth, on Saturday. Brought into the side for James Brown (ankle), Jesic made the most of the opportunity. And with the Jets yet to settle a deal with an overseas striker, he is pressing his claims for a spot in the season opener against Adelaide at Hunter Stadium on October 7. Aside from the sublime assist, the former Olyroo went close with a swerving effort from 25metres, which was saved brilliantly by Roar keeper Michael Theo, who shortened his name by deed poll from Theoklitos last month. Saturday’s influential performance came after an eye-catching display as a substitute in the 3-1 win over Wellington Phoenix in Weston a fortnight ago. Coming on midway through the second half, Jesic slotted home from close range to seal the win against an eight-man Phoenix. Four days earlier, he set up Jobe Wheelhouse’s winner and had a shot cleared off the line in the 1-0 win over NSW Premier League club Rockdale. He played 84 minutes against the Roar, his biggest contribution since returning from a quadriceps injury. The strained quad sidelined Jesic for four weeks. Though minor compared to the three knee reconstructions he has endured, it was enough to drop the off-contract attacker down the pecking order behind new boys Brown, Adam Taggart and home-grown teenager James Virgili. Brown is expected to have scans on his ankle today. Taggart is one of three Jets alongside Mitch Cooper and Connor Chapman in Vietnam with the Young Socceroos. Jesic will get another chance to shine against Sydney FC at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday, the first of two clashes against the Sky Blues. They also have a hit-out against Western Sydney Wanderers. Saturday’s win over the Roar, who were without Johnny Warren Medal winner Thomas Broich (ankle) and midfield livewire Mitch Nichols (ankle), was the Jets’ seventh of the pre-season. After absorbing some early pressure, the Jets went ahead in the 20th minute from a well-worked corner. Wheelhouse delivered the ball to the front post for Jesic to flick on with his heel to Ryan Griffiths, who blasted it into the back of the net from inside the six yard box. Besart Berisha went close to putting the Roar back on level terms just before the half hour when he pounced on a defensive error. He ran to the edge of the box before shooting millimetres wide of Mark Birighitti’s far post. Covering for Ben Kennedy (knee), Birighitti was outstanding. He made a great reflex save to deny Matt Jurman’s header at the back post on the hour and climbed high to fingertip a stinging shot from Berisha over the bar seven minutes from time. Jets imports Bernardo Ribeiro, Dominik Ritter and Michael Bridges played the final 20minutes and were heavily involved. Ribeiro picked up a yellow card for a tackle on Massimo Murdocca, Ritter made inroads down the left flank and Bridges opened up the defence and went close to doubling the advantage on the stroke of full-time. For the Roar, Japanese teenage defender Yuji Takahashi, who arrived in Australia only on Friday, looked composed in his 20minutes on the field.