Melbourne Heart coach John van 't Schip has identified Michael Bridges as they key to stopping the Newcastle Jets tonight.

The new A-League club are away for the first time as they take on the Jets at EnergyAustralia Stadium and Dutchman van 't Schip is well aware that skipper Bridges is the danger man.

"With Bridges they have a very intelligent player, I think, playing up front and dropping in," he told Sportal. "He's very good in seeing the moment. His touch on the ball is good. You can see that he thinks ahead of situations."

van 't Schip even went as far as to even compare Bridges with one of Holland's best-ever players.

"I played a lot of my career with Dennis Bergkamp and Dennis was a player like that also. He could play, and when there was the cross or the moment, he would be there," he added.

"I don't know Michael Bridges that well, but what I've seen from him, he's a very good player."