By Stuart Teather
THE Western Jets claimed their sixth TAC Cup win of the season in a hard-fought contest against Bendigo on Sunday.
After trailing all day at Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval, the Jets ran over the top of the Pioneers to claim a 10-point victory, 16.11.107 to 15.7.97, moving them to third on the ladder.
Bendigo got the jump on the visitors early in the first term, surprising the Jets with five goals to take a two-goal quarter-time lead.
The 10th-placed Pioneers repeated the effort in the second term, racing out to a 17-point half-time lead thanks to some accurate kicking and smooth delivery into the forward line.
After half-time the Jets showed why they are such a highly rated side and began to close the gap.
The Pioneers defence could not contain the Jets forward line in the final quarter, with the likes of Jack Fitzpatrick and Jordan Robbins continuing their side’s sensational run.
Western Jets coach Steven Kretiuk said he was pleased with the win, but saw some areas on which his team needed to work.
“They were a lot more hungry than us for two or three quarters … we were probably lucky to get away with the win,” he said.
Kretiuk said he focused on getting rotations right to make sure his team had enough run in the final quarter, which was what got them home in the end.
“We know we’ve got a good fitness base that will get us through four quarters,” he said. “They just ran out of puff towards the end.”
Kretiuk highlighted Jayden Post as one of the best players.
“He was good from centre half-back, and then at the end of the third quarter we chucked him in the ruck and he dominated there too,” he said.
“Jack Fitzpatrick was good at full forward, he had four goals and was probably a bit unlucky not to get three or four more marks paid to him.
“Every time the ball went down there, we knew we’d have a contest.”
Both teams found plenty of avenues to goal, with each having nine individual goal scorers.
Fitzpatrick kicked four and Robbins three for the Jets.
The Jets have another big challenge this week, facing league leaders the Murray Bushrangers in a game that will show just how good they are.
Kretiuk said he was not too concerned about facing the top team as the competition was very even and any side could challenge.
“It doesn’t matter who you play against at this level, on any given day you can be overrun,” he said.
“The more pressure you apply, the more likely you are to get a result, and we’ll be working on our defensive pressure this week.”
