WESTERN Jets could not be faulted in their shock 33-point downing of the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup at Avalon Airport Oval in Werribee on Saturday.
The Jets have lamented their hot and cold form this season.
Their inconsistency is a major reason why they’re likely to be watching this year’s finals from the sidelines.
Jets coach Steven Kretiuk told the Weekly the worm turned for his side at the weekend when it all clicked into place for the Jets’ best four-quarter effort of the year.
Click on the image below for our gallery of the match.
“We played a pretty good brand of footy. We set out to play a certain way before the game and I thought they did it to the letter.
“The guys worked hard all day and even though it was close at three-quarter-time, we controlled the game from the outset.”
The Jets played no fewer than 11 bottom-age players in a sign that bodes well for the future.
They didn’t let their more experienced teammates down, with livewire forward Omar Abou-Zeid, wingman James Sicily and marking option Jason Robinson the standouts.
Kretiuk admitted he took a heavy influx of bottom-age players into the line-up with an eye to the future, but also to recognise their strong form at local level.
“We’re giving them an opportunity because they deserve it.
“They’ve got to earn their spot and train well, and they have to be playing good local footy.”
Kretiuk was thrilled to see his leaders take charge. Spencer White worked smart within the team structures and was rewarded with five goals. Ashlin Brown relished the chance to play forward with four of his own.
The onball brigade dug in with Josh Bench, Charlie Nastasi, Harley Walshe and big man Scott Greenhough prolific.
Bench is surely the one who would have gone into the recruiters’ notebooks with a commanding 33 disposals, 12 tackles and a goal.
“He’s getting better and better as the year goes on,” Kretiuk said. “I’m hoping the recruiters who were at the ground are seeing something in this kid.”
Daniel Burton shut out Dragons danger forward Xavier Richards, Burton appearing at ease with the task despite giving up five centimetres in height.
“He controlled the game down back with a real aggressive brand of football,” Kretiuk said. “He had seven marks and four were contested.”
The Jets have a bye this weekend and return on August 18 for an away trip to the Bendigo Pioneers.
Meanwhile, Garry Hocking is the second former Western Jets coach to take over the main role at an AFL club this season, stepping up on Monday in the caretaker role at Port Adelaide after Matthew Primus was sacked.
Hocking, a Geelong Cats team of the century member, coached the Jets in 2003. Mark Neeld is the other former Jet with a senior coaching gig with Melbourne.
TAC CUP
Western Jets 14.11 (95) d Sandringham Dragons 8.14 (62)
Western Jets – goals: S. White 5, A. Brown 4, O. Abou-Zeid, H. Walshe, L. Hickey, J. Robinson, J. Bench. Best: D. Burton, J. Bench, B. Iles, C. Nastasi, S. White, A. Brown.
