By Lance Jenkinson
Can a spectacular wildcard Sunday inspire the Western Jets to great things in the NAB League finals?
The Jets were almost down and out heading into wildcard weekend after losing their last three home-and-away games by sizeable margins.
What better way to breathe life back into your season than with a 50-point win over Greater Western Victoria Rebels.
The victory came on the back of a seven-goal-to-nil final term at Box Hill City Oval on a historic day when captain Lucas Rocci became the first Jets player to take out the Morrish Medal for best-and-fairest in the competition.
“It was a very good day for the club,” Jets football operations manager Matthew Dervan said.
“Days like this are certainly enjoyable when you get to celebrate a win on the field and a first in the club’s history off the field as well.
“There were a few doubts about our form coming into the game, which we were really keen to rectify.
“We got off to a little bit of a slower start than we would’ve liked, but from the second quarter onwards we really hit a groove.
“While the Rebels were hanging around with us in the second and third quarters, once we were able to get some reward for our hard work and dominance, we really put the foot down.
“We really got the reward for all the hard work and effort that was made in the opening few quarters.”
Leading by just two points at three-quarter time, Western Jets finished with a flurry, kicking 7.6 and holding the Rebels scoreless.
The match-winner for the Jets was forward Archi Manton.
Manton, the son of former Essendon and Carlton defender Glenn, kicked 4.3 from 13 possessions.
With 32 goals, Manton is the leading goalkicker in the league.
Always an aerial threat, Manton has added another significant string to his bow.
“He obviously knows where the goals are, he’s been really consistent for us across the year and he provides a real good aerial target for us, but over the last month his ground work, once the ball has hit the deck, he’s really developed,” Dervan said.
“He’s developed that side of his game to an elite level.
“He’s a pivotal player for us, a key target down forward.”
Lucas Failli, who played as a small forward and midfielder, finished with three goals, while Aaron Clarke added two.
Daly Andrews was outstanding in the midfield, racking up 29 possessions, while Darcy Cassar, Eddie Ford and Josh Honey posted more than 20 disposals each.
The Jets did it with the aid of the top vote-getter in the competition, onfield leader Rocci.
The 18-year-old polled 17 votes to finish three ahead of Sandringham captain Ryan Byrnes.
“We couldn’t be happier with someone of his calibre and personality around the club to be our first recipient of the Morrish Medal,” Dervan said.
“It’s a culmination of two years of grit and determination and hard work.”
Western Jets will square off with Northern Knights in an elimination final at Mars Stadium on Saturday morning.
