A SIX-goal final term and a kick after the siren gave the Western Jets a one-point come-from-behind win against Gippsland Power in round six of the TAC Cup on Saturday.
After a thrilling finish, the Jets finished 11.9.75 to the Power’s 10.14.74.
The match at the Power’s Moe Recreation Reserve saw the home side gain the early ascendancy, kicking its way to a seven-point quarter-time lead.
The visitors pulled it back in the second term, kicking three majors to make the margin six points at half-time.
The second half is where the match proved interesting. The Power kicked 5.2 to stretch its lead to 31 points, leaving the Jets with a lot of work to do at the final change.
The Jets came out firing and stormed way home with a six-goal final term.
The Power kicked a costly seven minor scores and failed to register a major for the quarter, which ultimately cost the match.
A mark to Chris Spinella and a kick after the siren sealed the win.
Jets’ coach Steve Kretiuk was happy with the result but conceded it could have easily gone the other way.
“At the end of the day we were pretty lucky to get away with the win,” he said.
“We tried really, really hard to do the right things but we just didn’t play smart footy.
“In the last quarter we had nothing to lose at five or six goals down, and I suppose we just found something towards the end.
“The good thing was that with such a young group it would have been very easy to throw in the towel.”
Kretiuk gave credit to the Power, which could have easily come away with the points.
“They played some really good sides and were unlucky to lose some games, so it was never going to be an easy game,” he said.
“It took everything we had to get over the line. They missed some easy shots and had a couple rushed, but at the end of the day you have got to capitalise when it’s your turn.
“We showed a bit of maturity. Hopefully we will learn that it doesn’t take much for a team to get back into a game.
“You have got to play four quarters of good footy.”
The Jets, with five wins and one loss, sit in second place behind North Ballarat on percentage.
The side is travelling well and will be confident coming up against Bendigo in round seven.
“We are happy with our wins, but at this level it’s all about the process and we still have a fair way to go,” Kretiuk said.
“Hopefully in the near future things are going to click for us. I reckon we still have got another 20 per cent in us to improve.”
