NOR-WEST JETS MATCH REPORTS- ROUND 8
Two big matches against top 3 opponents travelled to Bensons Lane in miserable conditions to face the Jets on Saturday, with 2nd placed Macquarie Uni Warriors in Division 4, and 3rd placed Holroyd-Parramatta in the main game. The Division 2 Jets had to win to keep touch with the top 4, and started in a style that defied the conditions, kicking the first 3 goals before the Goannas registered a score. Parramatta eventually found their feet, using the corridor and kicked 2 goals themselves, but the Jets went to the first break with a handy 19 point lead. Ash Condon was proving hard to stop in the air, and usual defender Warwick Smith found plenty of the ball at Centre Half Forward.
The Goannas came out hard in the 2nd term and showed why they are at the pointy end of the ladder, with a 6 goal to 2 quarter to wrestle the balance back in their favour. Sam Makins and Matt Lloyd, together with Ben Thomas were playing inspiring footy in the back 50, and setting up the running game of Aaron Bayne, Owen Butcher and Josh Cass, while up forward, Josh James was on fire, helping himself to 2 goals on his way to 6 for the day. Nor-West found themselves down by 9 points at the long break, but were playing well below their potential.
The all important 3rd quarter showed some exciting footy by both teams, as players threw themselves at the ball like it was a final. 3 goals by each team kept the scores close at the final change, and ensured a tense last quarter for the growing crowd.
The Jets found plenty of the ball, in particular Paul Sherwood, who was playing like a man possessed in the centre, and was well supported by fellow on-baller Chris Graf, and had many inside 50s, but failed to capitalise, as Holroyd-Parramatta carried the ball better and used it with great effiency, putting on 3 goals to the Jets two to kill off any comeback for the home side. The Goannas running out winners by only 14 points.
14.11-95 to 12.9-81.
Goals- J. James 6, C. Wenselowski 2, T. Hurst 2, P. Sherwood, J. Thomson 1 each.
Best- P. Sherwood, J. James, M. Lloyd, C. Graf, B. Thomas, A. Bayne.
In the earlier game, the Jets faced the high flying Warriors outfit, who had only lost the one game. Nor-West fielding their strongest team to date, considering the long list of injured players, and with the addition of key midfielder Doug Linnett and former Mac Uni assistant coach Daryl Hillier, felt very confident of their chances on the home deck.
The game started in typical wet weather fashion, with both sides slowly adapting to the conditions, with a goal apiece in the first term. Ruck Chris Lowe was winning majority of the ball in the middle, feeding Linnett and Brock Gibson, while Jesse Bray used his muscle on more than one occasion to break tackles and send the ball forward to Scott Braid and Dan Beck.
The Warriors were starting to find their feet in the 2nd quarter, adding 2 goals to the Jets 1, and took a 7 point lead to half time. Ben Cain and Ryan Bowen, after solid performances in the Seniors last week, carried on that form in defence, with great support from John Davidson, who held the evergreen and dangerous Butch Uglow to minimal touches, and Captain Norm Hanley, who played a perfect skipper’s knock in the back pocket.
The third term was again an arm wrestle, with the home side piling on 4 goals as the half back line became more creative. Pete Richardson owned the far wing of Bensons No 3, and coupled with Stuart Tibben, sent the ball to the forward line with monotonous regularity. The Jets were down by 3 points at 3 qtr time, and coach Kyle asked his troops to finish off in the never-say-die tradition of the Jets and Saints before them.
Mat Laurence dropped back in the defensive hole and picked up some critical marks, and when Hank Scorpio went down with a head high shot that the umpires didn’t penalise, Nor-West had every reason to come out on top. Chris Hall did all he could to keep the ball in the Jets 50, and took a strong pack mark with minutes remaining to set up one of 2 goals and held the Warriors to only 1 to run out 1 point winners.
8.5-53 to 7.10-52.
Goals- S Braid 2, S Tibben 2, D. Beck, B Goodwin, J Bray, B Gibson.
Best- D Linnett, J Davidson, N Hanley, B Cain, B Gibson, C Hall.
The Jets head into town to face last years Division 3 Premiers in UNSW/ES and 2010 Division 4 Premiers Sydney University.
