The Western Jets fell to just their third loss of the TAC Cup season at the weekend, losing to Geelong after struggling in the forward half through the middle of the game.
The Jets hit the front late in the final quarter, but the Falcons ran out the game stronger, coming away with a 8.10 (58) – 6.12 (48) win at Avalon Airport Oval.
Stand-in Jets coach Tom Perrett said while it was disappointing not to take the win, he was proud of the efforts of his side after six players left the side after making the Vic Metro squad for the national championships.
“What we asked from everyone at the start of the day was to bring that Jets attitude and effort, and by and large across the day we saw that, so we’re pleased from that perspective,” Perrett said.
“It’s unfortunate that through the second and third quarters we didn’t really get the results we were after from the inside 50s we generated, bombing it in a bit much instead of lowering the eyes. But pressure does that.”
Geelong jumped out of the gates with two goals in the first five minutes of the game, but by the first break there was just one straight kick in it.
The Jets had their chances to take a good lead as the game unfolded, but just two goals from ten scoring shots in the middle quarters robbed them of that opportunity, despite a strong forward presence from Aaron Clarke.
Despite their forward struggles, the Jets trailed by just 10 points at the final change, and two quick goals to Joshua Klaromenos and Darcy Cassar gave them the lead midway through the term.
However, the Falcons rallied to kick a clutch goal from the boundary and another from long range to seal the result.
Perrett said there was plenty for his side to work on ahead of their next game.
“We’ll definitely learn from this one,” he said. “We’ll look at the vision, get on the training track this week and I’m sure we’ll take something from this game moving forward.”
Ewen McRae
