WESTERN Jets stepped up their bid to finish the TAC Cup season with a coveted top four spot with an impressive 51-point victory over Sandringham on Sunday.
The win keeps the Jets two games clear of the equal fourth placed Geelong Falcons, Murray Bushrangers and Northern Knights with four rounds to play.
They started like a house on fire in the opening term, booting 7.3 to 1.2 before the momentum took a stunning shift in the second.
The Dragons slammed on eight goals in the second quarter to go into the half-time break just two points down.
The young Jets received some stern words from coach Mark Neeld at the main break and responded by again pulling away from their opponent with seven goals in the third term.
They didn’t let this lead slip and piled on a further six goals in the final quarter to record a comfortable win.
The Jets scored 13 second half goals to the Dragons four.
Western Jets region manager Shane Sexton said his side was determined to finish the match full of run after letting such a big lead slip.
“It was a really good win in the end and we played some really good footy,” Sexton said.
“We were up and about early on but went into the break just in front, so they were pretty disappointed with that.
“The coach (Neeld) was a bit irate at half time but he got the guys going and we had a really big second half.
“We lifted our work-rate and ran the ball really well and in the end we finished over the top of them.
“I think they ran the ball pretty well all day too and particularly in the second quarter when they came at us.”
Mitchell Banner continued his sparkling season with another best-on-ground performance for the Jets.
Steve Morris, Steven Kennedy and Nathan Lyons were also key contributors in the win.
The Jets face Eastern Ranges, Bendigo, Dandenong and Murray in their last four matches.
“It is still pretty competitive for the top four spots but we have got ourselves in a good position,” Sexton said.
“I can’t see any of our matches from now until the end of the season being easy ones. I think the most important thing is the development of the team and I think we’re definitely on the right track.”
