Tara Murray
Western Jets are breaking new ground in the NAB League Girls competition, with the club winning four games in a row for the first time.
Having not had much success in previous seasons, the Jets have this year found the right mix and the results are going their way.
On Saturday, the Jets beat the Geelong Falcons, 7.13 (55)-2.5 (17).
Jets coach Robbie Chancellor said the side is building and gaining plenty of momentum.
“The girls program had never won three in a row,” he said.
“We’ve had incremental improvement. We were disappointed with the game against Sandringham Dragons despite getting the win.
“We had a bit of a chat after that match. They haven’t had much success, so we spoke about are we happy with just winning or do we want to judge how we are playing.
“We had a strong week on the track and it was the most complete performance we’ve had.”
The Jets were playing at home in the west for the first time this season, which Chancellor said the girls were really up for the challenge.
Chancellor said that they were tested in every quarter.
“They jumped us at the start of each quarter with their physicality. Credit to the girls they were able to hold their pressure and work their way back into the game.
“There was a strong breeze towards one end, most of the scoring was from that end. They didn’t make the most of it in the first quarter, but we were able to in the second quarter.”
Chancellor said the scoreboard could have been convincing had they been able to kick straight.
Caitlin Sargent kicked three goals in the win, while Charlotte Baskaran had another fantastic game.
Chancellor said that there were seven or eight girls who had really strong games.
He said the spread of performance had been the big key for the side this season.
“Last year we were relying on too few,” he said.
“There’s more depth in the performance and playing more consistently.
“The next group of players are putting their names. Kiera Leare, Paige Ryan, while Laura Elliott has had a fantastic couple of weeks in the backline.
“It’s a good group that is building, winning builds that confidence.”
The Jets now sit third on the ladder.
Chancellor said the belief in the group was starting to grow.
“The girls have belge and the performances are coming,” he said.
“Hopefully we’ll keep improving. We have some tough games late in the season. We’ll go in with wins on board and confidence with that.”
The Jets this week face the Brisbane Lions Academy, at the Hangar in Essendon on Sunday.
Chancellor said he didn’t know much about the side heading into the game.
“What has been working for us is reviewing our own performance, training hard and working on the areas that we can improve.”
The Northern Knights and Calder Cannons are among the other winners in round six, beating the Murray Bushrangers and Bendigo Pioneers respectively.
