Jack Walker kicks forward in Western Jets’ first finals victory for 16 years on Sunday. 69931 Picture EMILY LANE
By Liam Twomey
their 18-point elimination final victory over the Geelong Falcons to team-mate Nathan Prince who passed away four days before the match.
Prince went into cardiac arrest after he was injured during a game of football for his local club on Saturday 27 August.
The 17-year-old had played four games for the Jets during the season.
“I think it’s more reward for what we have faced over the last few weeks with young Nathan Prince. We certainly want to make the statement that this is going to unite us,” Western Jets coach Steve Kretiuk said.
“We wanted to show some respect to Nathan and also his family that we will win our first finals game in 16 years for him and his family.
“I thought we certainly showed our respect for them today.”
The Jets played three quarters of outstanding football as they kept the Falcons at bay for the majority of the game.
They fixed their goal kicking problems of last week and went into half time with an impressive return of 11.4 for a 29-point lead.
The margin was extended by a goal in the third quarter as near certain first round draftee Will Hoskin-Elliott began to take control of the game.
“He is an out-and-out star. I was rapt with his attitude last week. He went down quite early and the only thing he wanted to do was stay out there,” Kretiuk said.
“He is a warrior. He has certainly matured to a position where he is dominant in this competition.
“They were tagging him for a half of footy and they just couldn’t go with him.”
Despite the hefty margin, the Falcons refused to end their season quietly as they launched a final-term fight-back.
Geelong kicked the first three goals in quick fashion to put the pressure back onto the Jets and close the margin to 14 points.
Cue another moment of Hoskin-Elliott brilliance as he ran the ball off the back line and down the wing while evading opponents, before delivering a beautiful kick to team-mate Majok Aneet who kicked a steadying goal.
The Falcons were not done with however, as they hit back with another two quick goals – the second of which was showered in controversy after a Jets defender took a mark deep in defence but was called to play on by the umpire.
He was tackled and the ball kicked through the goals to reduce the gap to just seven points. The class of the Jets was on display though as they kicked two steadying goals to seal the 16.8 (104) to 12.14 (86) win.
“Geelong really took it up to us especially in that last quarter. When you are faced with elimination you tend to respond in that situation and really throw everything at the opposition in the last quarter,” Kretiuk said.
“It was just about us responding and I thought we slowed the game down a bit and took away their excitement levels.” The Jets will now take on shock first week finals loser Calder Cannons in this week’s semi-final.
“Against Calder next week will have to be at our best in the engine rooms to give ourselves a chance,” Kretiuk said.
“We have got to work with our key defenders this week and keep improving on our stoppage work.”
