WESTERN Jets coach Torin Baker has backed his players to turn
around Sunday’s savage 59-point loss to Sandringham Dragons in time for
the start of the TAC Cup finals.
The loss pushed the Jets to fifth after third spot slipped through
their fingers, missing out on the valuable double chance in the
process.
The Jets will undoubtedly take a sour note into September.
But Baker expects a backlash from his players in Sunday’s elimination final against Murray Bushrangers at Visy Park.
“The boys are a resilient enough group,” he said. “They’ve impressed me with their maturity all year.
“I’d be highly surprised if we weren’t able to turn it around.”
A stiff Sandringham missed out on the final eight.
But Baker is adamant that is not a true reflection of the quality in the Dragons’ side.
The Jets’ two heaviest defeats this season came against full-strength Dragons line-ups, in the season opener and on finals eve.
The Jets lacked an answer for the Dragons’ “high-end” talent on both occasions.
“They’re a high-quality unit,” Baker said. “They’ve probably got
four players who are going to go inside the top 20 or 30 in the draft.
“We were able to go with them for a half, but they broke us open in that third quarter.”
With less than a kick in it at half-time, Sandringham broke off the leash with a blistering seven-goal-to-nil third term.
The game was over and done with in 30 mesmerising minutes.
The Jets’ defence, which had been watertight in the opening half,
could not contain the waves of attack coming their way in the third
quarter.
“They had some excellent use out of the middle and we weren’t able to sustain pressure on the ball carrier,” Baker said.
“Our defenders got caught out on some occasions, being behind or a metre off.
“They were that good at hitting their targets inside 50 in the third, and that’s when the floodgates opened.”
Two bottom-age players shone for the Jets.
Corey Ellis and Liam Duggan, both used in defence initially before
being let loose in the midfield, were outstanding in a tough day at the
office in which their side could manage only three goals.
Jason Robinson was one of the few Jets forwards to achieve a pass mark.
“He led up at the footy really well and put a fair bit of pressure on,” Baker said.
“He hasn’t played much up forward all year, but the match-ups dictated that he go forward and we certainly found something in him there.”
