THE Western Jets will feature in the TAC Cup finals in coach Torin Baker’s first year in charge.
The Jets booked their September ticket with a go-to-whoa 74-point drubbing of the Bendigo Pioneers on Saturday.
They piled on 10 scoring shots to nil in a dominant first quarter to lead by 40.
The one-way traffic continued for the remainder of the game, with
only the Jets inaccurate kicking for goal sparing further damage for the
Pioneers.
Jets region manager Shane Sexton said it was a near-complete performance.
“We needed to win, we knew that,” he said. “If we hadn’t won
today, we would have put not only our double chance in jeopardy but we
might’ve put our spot in the eight in jeopardy as well.
“It was a good, solid performance the whole way through.”
Twin towers Duom Dawam and Mark Orr were outstanding in the ruck
for the Jets. Not only were they commanding in their tap work, they
offered a presence in attack with two goals apiece.
David Iaccarino’s stellar season continued, with a fourth
best-on-ground performance, while Brett Bewley, Daniel O’Leary and Liam
Duggan are a mark of consistency.
Pele Manivong is reliable in attack and has impressed with his skill set.
“He’s got a strong attack on the ball, good leg speed and capable overhead,” Sexton said.
“He is someone who next year might move into the midfield.”
The Jets still have some work to do to secure the double chance.
They face the Sandringham Dragons at Highgate Recreation Reserve on
Sunday.
