Tara Murray
The Western Jets showed the improvement they’ve made this season, beating the Northern Knights on Saturday in the Coates Talent League.
Having lost to the Knights in round one after scores were level in the third quarter, the Knights got some revenge in the round 10 match.
The Knights led throughout the first three quarters, taking a 14 point lead into the final break.
The Just were able to save their best for last, kicking five final quarter goals to get a, 13.6 (84)-12.9 (81) win.
Jack Gerardi kicked six goals for the Jets and was named their best alongside Lucca Grego.
Speaking before the match, Jets coach Trent Dennis-Lane said it wasn’t all about wins and losses.
“Playing them the first time I think it was 65-all deep into the third quarter before they kicked away,” he said.
“It’s two to three months later and we can see if the development is there or not. I don’t care if we win or lose, I want to see improvement in performances throughout the year.”
Dennis-Lane said they had been working hard on a lot of things and they were slowly turning in their favour.
He said they had an advantage with not as many players in the private school system as some other clubs.
“It helps with training and continuity at training week in, week out,” he said.
“You can lose them from three quarters of the season and you then get all the team together [late in the season].
“We have worked a lot on our offensive in the pre-season. We were going inside forward 50, but we were having a lot of turnovers.
“The stats are slowly shifting our way.”
Dennis-Lane said he was also happy with the mindset of the guys despite not necessarily getting the results they were after.
He highlighted the Eastern Ranges game as one they could have won but they didn’t. He said the group didn’t drop their heads and were able to respond the following weeks.
“It could have gone one way or the other and we could have thrown the toys out of the cot,” he said.
“They are more than capable and they are better than we were at the start of the season, that is pleasing.
“In a development league you will have a couple of games where you drop off on a few little things, but hopefully they are better players than when they started the year.”
Dennis-Lane said they were hoping that some of their over age players would get an opportunity in the Victorian Football League in the back part of the season to help further their games.
In terms of Vic Metro, just Lucca Grego made the final squad.
Dennis-Lane said they were confident that he could take his game to that next level.
He said dependent on the mid season draft picks, Lucas Impey could also receive a call up.
The former basketballer star has started to find his feet.
“The amount of improvement has been amazing,” Dennis-Lane said.
“Lucas is one of those overage guys at Williamstown. We don’t have a specialist ruck coach so he gets a little more development there.
“He is really cashing in.”
