By ADEM SARICAOGLU
THE Western Jets continued their good run of recent form in the TAC Cup with a convincing 35-point road win over the Oakleigh Chargers on Saturday.
Backing up from a hard-fought slog in Ballarat six days earlier, the Jets took command of the game and by half time had managed to extend their quarter time-lead from five to 17.
By three-quarter time their buffer had blown out to 38, effectively killing off the game at Warrawee Park.
Coach Torin Baker was full of praise for how his Jets handled the difficult conditions throughout the first three quarters of the game.
“We certainly controlled the way the game was being played and the ball spent a lot of time in our forward half, so from that point of view (we) grinded out a really good win,” Baker said.
“Certainly the conditions weren’t easy. It was very blustery there, so for the guys to execute the way they did was pleasing.”
However the game took on a different complexion after the final change, with only three behinds being added to the scoreboard in the final term, and all of which belonged to Oakleigh.
“We certainly looked at playing guys in different roles in that last quarter, just to look at things from an individual point of view and also going forward with our team,” Baker explained.
“Defensively in that last quarter we just weren’t as good as what we were in the first three quarters and it probably meant the ball just didn’t spend as much time in our forward 50.”
James Sicily, who was the only Jet to receive an invitation to the national draft combine, was given best-on-ground honours for his efforts on the day, while Brett Bewley and Liam Duggan also proved to be serviceable. Josh MacDonald and Braden Ferrari each kicked two goals for the Jets.
