By Liam Twomey
A STAGGERING performance from the Western Jets on Saturday has seem them rocket into contention for a top two finish as the TAC Cup season draws to a close.
The Jets travelled to Bendigo to take on the bottom-of-the-table Bendigo Pioneers and may have surprised even themselves by handing out a 90-point thrashing.
The match started well for the Jets who jumped away to an early 20-point lead at quarter time. The news only got better as the day progressed as the lead increased rapidly at every change.
A six-goal last quarter was the icing on the cake as the 20.16 (136) to 7.4 (46) rout was complete.
Western Jets coach Steve Kretiuk said it was a good four-quarter performance from his team.
“I think we had a lot of contributors on the day which was great. There was a couple of stages where blokes started to go a bit forward of the ball but for 90 per cent of the game we held our structures really well,” Kretiuk said.
“Our guys stuck to their roles and we didn’t get anyone going and doing their own thing.”
“They (Bendigo) have been a relatively good. We knew that even though going into the game they had only won one game they are still a good side. We new we would have to be at our best to beat them.”
Ashlin Brown played an outstanding game on the Jets’ forward line, kicking seven goals in his best haul for the season.
“Ash kicked seven goals and he probably could have finished with a couple more,” Kretiuk said.
“We really focused on the last quarter trying to play like Geelong where it’s more about the assist and bringing your team-mates into the game than it is about kicking the goals yourself.”
In total, 12 Western Jets players kicked goals in an even performance across the board.
Sean Blake was fantastic all day and was named best-on-ground. He received good support from Jack Walker and Jack Charleston who were also good.
The Jets now sit in sixth place on the TAC Cup ladder but they are rapidly making up ground on the top teams. With two rounds to play, they could potentially finish anywhere from second to eighth in an intriguing end to the season.
They have won their last six games and the rich vein of form doesn’t appear to be stopping any time soon.
“We play a lot more bottom-age players than most sides and they have been a huge reason for why we have got to where we are,” Kretiuk said.
“They have come along well and really been the catalyst behind the last six weeks.
“The big test is going to come in the next two weeks.”
This week looms as a crunch game as the Jets prepare to take on fifth-placed Geelong Falcons in a blockbuster encounter.
Last time the teams met the Jets proved victorious by 36 points.
In their final round they will take on second-placed Sandringham Dragons.
“The biggest thing for us over the last six weeks has been our defensive pressure and we have been able to generate a lot of scoring chances from that,” Kretiuk said.
“We are quick and use the footy well and the key for us is the defensive pressure forward of centre. We really need to maintain it going into this late stage of the season.”
