By ADEM SARICAOGLU
WESTERN Jets coach Torin Baker was pleased to see an improved performance from his boys despite giving up a seven-goal lead in a loss to Oakleigh on Sunday.
The Jets led at every change and looked to be in control at North Port Oval, but the fast-finishing Chargers stormed home with four of the five goals scored in the final quarter to snatch a seven-point win.
Two late Oakleigh goals in time-on and some crucial Jets skill errors led to what proved the match-winning lead, handing the latter their third successive loss to start the TAC Cup season.
However, Baker was upbeat after the game, telling Star his undermanned side showed plenty of good signs – particularly in the first half.
“I was really pleased with our performance,” Baker said.
“We’ve got a number of our best players out at the moment and to produce that sort of effort at the start was really commendable for the group. I thought we were really hungry, really desperate and I thought Oakleigh changed the way the game was being played.
“They put some numbers behind the ball and we made some errors and allowed them to get back in the contest. I’m really proud of the boys but obviously there were some things in the last quarter that we’ll address.”
In a side that was missing Liam Duggan, Duom Dawam, Liam McMahon and Caleb Sullivan, usual suspects Corey Ellis and Connor Menadue again did their draft prospects no harm.
Also impressive were lesser-known Jets Brayden Monk (one goal and named the Jets’ best) and Tylar Vujanic (three goals).
“Brayden Monk was a player playing in his second game in TAC football and he was an outstanding contributor for us,” Baker said.
“Vujanic was a real find today.
“He got injured midway through his first game so he hasn’t had a lot of exposure to TAC footy, so to come in and play like he did was excellent.”
Vujanic looked good at full forward while Monk was impressive through the midfield.
Dillon Viojo, Harley Armstrong-Weston, Braden Ferrari and Ryley Stuhldreier also played well on the day.
The Jets are still winless after what has been a difficult draw for the first three weeks of the season, but will be hoping to develop some winning form against the Northern Territory this Sunday.
