WESTERN Jets fielded an inexperienced line-up with two debutants and five players featuring for the first time this season, and they received a football lesson in a 54-point loss to the Dandenong Stingrays at Shepley Oval on Saturday.
The Stingrays held a four-goal lead after the opening term and turned it into six by the long break as the feasted on costly turnovers.
Despite a drop in intensity after half-time, the Stingrays continued to halt the Jets’ attacks inside their forward 50-metre line with Ryan Morrison, Jake Calvert and Matt Rennie all taking marks and forcing the ball back away from goal, eventually leading to several Stingrays goals to extend the lead entering the final term.
The Jets were able to find a few goals as the game wound down but were still no match for the home side, who had contributors all over the ground.
The Jets had trouble matching the Stingrays around the football and stopping their moves forward. Jets high-performance coach Scott Korczynski said his side had much to learn but would improve with more exposure to TAC Cup football.
“You have players coming from local football into TAC Cup level and the difference in standard is massive,” he said.
“We found it hard to get the ball into the forward line and then it was tough to find a forward target. But there’s no question this group will improve as it plays more football at this level.”
Jets ruckman Spencer White showed some agility and ball skill with his runs through midfield, while Jake Greiser was named best player.
The Jets face another leading opponent in Gippsland Power at Warrawee Park, Oakleigh, this Saturday from 2pm.
Dandenong Stingrays 17.9 (111) d Calder Cannons 8.9 (57). Western Jets: Goals: H. King 2, H. Inglis 2, L. Hickey 2, A. Brown, S. White. Best: J. Greiser, A. Elkasovic, A. Brown, S. Critchley, S. Blake, L. Hickey.
