By ADEM SARICAOGLU
THE Western Jets booked a semi-final date with local rival Calder after passing their first finals test against the Murray Bushrangers on Sunday.
In a tense TAC Cup elimination final at Visy Park, the Jets were forced to come from behind in a game that only yielded 19 goals for the day.
After conceding seven goals to four in the opening term the Jets looked to be in trouble in the cut-throat final, trailing by 15 at the final change.
However, kicking to the scoring end in the final term, the Jets scored four unanswered goals through Corey Ellis, Jake Greiser and David Iaccarino to snatch the lead and ultimately, victory.
Coach Torin Baker was relieved his side found a way when it mattered most on Sunday.
“They got out to a really good start on us and we weren’t playing very well early,” Baker said.
“From probably quarter-time onwards I felt we were able to get ourselves back into the game and defend a lot better and in the end we were coming home with the scoring end.
“Not that there was a major wind there today, but all the scoring was done at one end and it was a good result.”
The Jets have become accustomed to winning the close ones this season, and Baker was happy to praise the continued resilience of his group.
“That’s one of the main traits that the boys have shown all year – just their ability to stay in games when things aren’t going their way,” Baker said.
“It’s a great thing to have in a football team and countless times this year the boys have been able to show that and today they did it again, so it was very pleasing.”
Usual suspects Jake Greiser and David Iaccarino were instrumental in the Jets’ win, with both combining for four of the Jets’ 10 goals on the day, while team-mate James Sicily kicked two.
“We had tremendous contributions from Jake Greiser and David Iaccarino,” Baker said.
“As the game went on their class and ball-use and just their ability to stand up in key moments was really high-quality, and they were probably our two main contributors.”
Harley Walshe and Lachie Hickey also caught their coach’s eye on Sunday.
“I thought Harley Walshe’s job down back and just his ability to win one-on-one contests was good and he gave us a lot of offensive run as well,” Baker said.
“Lachie Hickey was one who just seemed to apply the defensive pressure when needed and he had the intensity and spread in his game.
“He was fantastic as well.”
