By Lance Jenkinson
Western Jets coach Torin Baker insists his side’s 10-goal losing margin to Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday was not reflective of the overall work his young charges put in.
The Jets were competitive in most aspects of the game – but not on the scoreboard, with Baker feeling his young team deserved a more palatable outcome.
“We had three less inside-50s, it was very even in clearances and we end up with a 10-goal loss,” he said.
“I don’t think the scoreboard accurately reflects how even the game was for most of the day. There’s certainly lots of positives we can take out of it.”
The Falcons were ruthless in their execution, something that set two sides at opposite ends of the table apart.
“Full credit to Geelong – they converted brilliantly … they kicked 21.5,” Baker said.
“We’d had more of the ball inside-50 [in the first half], but we kicked 4.5 to their 8.1 and that was the story at half-time. They kicked a couple of extra goals in the third to break our backs and that was the ball game really.”
If recruiters like to follow trends, perhaps they should be jotting down the name of Brandon Coletta.
Five goals in a best-on-ground performance for the Jets capped a big month for the forward.
“What he’s been able to do is lift his work rate to new levels and he’s getting the reward for that,” Baker said.
“He’s become really dangerous as a tall forward but he can also win the ball at ground level.
“There’d be no doubt that people will start to be looking at his performances.
“It’s not like he’s done it once or twice – he took 10 marks against Gippsland, he had six scoring shots against Dandenong and had eight scoring shots against Geelong.
“He’s put together a very solid month of football.”
The Jets matched it with the Falcons in the midfield.
Captain Jaycob Hickey, Daniel Foley, Lachlan Knight and Jackson Volpato – consistent performers throughout the season for the Jets – certainly didn’t lower their colours on Saturday.
“Most of our midfielders were really solid,” Baker said.
James Harrison carved out a strong debut as a lead-up forward while Jake Bertollo hit the scoreboard again with three goals.
Wilson Berry has been one of the stand-outs in the Jets’ defence for the past five matches.
“He’s been a real find for us,” Baker said. “He’s got a bit of height but can play on the talls and smalls because he’s quite mobile.
“He’s a very disciplined player but is also providing good rebound for us as well.”
The TAC Cup will have a break this weekend for the national championships.
The Jets are second-last on the table with one win in eight matches.
