By ADEM SARICAOGLU
THEY trailed at every change but the Western Jets scored an impressive two-point win over the Calder Cannons at Highgate Recreation Reserve on Sunday.
In a thrilling final term the Jets held on as Calder threatened to steal back the lead in the final moments, but the bell rang deep inside the defensive 50 to signal an important win over a major rival.
After winning a close one against the Northern Knights seven days earlier, the Jets again showed strong character on the park, impressing coach Torin Baker.
“It’s great for self-belief,” Baker said.
“We’ve obviously had a couple of really close games over the last two weeks and to come over the top of a side after getting a few goals out early in the game – it was really important for our self-belief.
“It’s also just a reward for the players’ commitment and their efforts. They’ve been outstanding with their training efforts and you like to see them get the rewards.”
Calder’s Jason Cooke was looking ominous in the first quarter and by the first break already had three goals to his name, assisting the home team to a matching 18-point lead.
However the lead quickly evaporated in the second term as Lachlan Hickey, Mark Orr and Mitchell Norton all goaled to eventually put the Jets in front.
But the Cannons steadied, and by half-time they had restored a 10-point buffer.
The intensity stepped up a few notches in the third quarter as both sides traded blows, but after John Corso again put the Jets in front the Cannons replied through Nathan Blair and went into the final change three points up.
As a light drizzle began showering Highgate the Jets came again in the final term.
A goal to James Sicily and two to Norton had the Jets 13 points up as the game ticked into time-on, however two six-pointers the other way again brought the contest within a kick.
The Cannons came hard and owned the final minutes of play, but the Jets managed to hold on.
Baker was happy with his side’s response after quarter time. “A lot of credit has to go to our midfielders that really probably changed the course of the game after the first quarter,” he said.
“In the first quarter (Calder) were winning a lot of the contested ball and a lot of the clearances but our midfield really responded and our ruckmen started to get their hands on the footy.”
David Iaccarino, Jason Robinson and Corey Ellis were named the best Jets on the ground.
