NOR-WEST JETS MATCH REPORT ROUND 12
The Jets played host to competition heavyweights Southern Power in Round 12 action, and after a heavy 15 goal thumping in their first meeting at Gwawley, knew an improvement was needed to stay in touch with the top 4. Missing from the regular line up were Sherwood, Dowl, Ahearn and with ruck maestro Webster a late withdrawal with flu, 2006 Premiership hero Andrew Travers was promoted from the twos to fill the gap.
The game started at break neck speed, with both sides using the wide ground to full advantage. The Jets used the ball through the middle well, however, could only manage 2 goals 7 behinds in a wasteful display against their undefeated opponents, who added 1 of their own, but threatened to take the match theirs. If not for the superb defensive effort of Ben Cain throughout the match, the scoreboard may have been significantly different, as the Power exploited the home side’s turnovers in the 2nd quarter, piling on 5 goals to nil to take a healthy lead to the main break.
With Lachlan Eldridge applying a tight tag to key Power playmaker Phil Hamer, the Jets danger men of Chris Graf, Steve Davidson and Josh Howe in his last game, used this freedom to great effect as they clawed their way back into the game in the second half, coming within 11 points of the Power, before a few late goals to the visitors saw them take home a 30 point win, Power 15.6-96 to Jets 9.12-66.
Trent Hurst led the goals with 3, while best players were Cain, Warwick Smith and the returning Jarod Thomson.
In the reserves match, the Jets faced a Power team led by former Jet Cheyne Anderson, and with some great inclusions including veterans Steve Chase and Nick Milkins, the home side started with the strong breeze at their backs, piling on 6 goals 6 to no score in the first quarter. Brock Gibson, Marty Ingham and Chris Collins were proving hard to stop in the centre, and the back six, led by Hank Scorpio and captain Norm Hanley, were miserly in sending back every Power forward move. The Jets added two more in the second against the strong breeze while restricting the Power to only 2, to take a handy 8 goal advantage to the break, with inaccuracy and desperate defence from the Power backline ensuring the margin wasn’t greater.
The visitors kept coming in the second half, with 2 goals apiece in the 3rd term, but with endurance runner Pete Richardson unstoppable on his wing, James Moynihan relishing a run in Division 4 and rookie Ryan Bowen stepping and barging his way through anyone who got in his way, the Jets found enough in the tank to finish with 2 more in the last, to make it six wins in a row, with a 12.18-90 to 5.5-35 win over the boys from the Shire.
Goals- Scott Braid 4, M. Ingham 3, T. Tibben, J. Moynihan, R. Bowen, B. Gibson, B. Graydon 1 each.
Best- M. Ingham, J. Moynihan, R. Bowen, S. Chase, N. Milkins, P. Richardson.
This week the Jets host old T-20 friends from Manly-Warringah on Ladies/Sponsors Day, with gift packs, ladies kicking competition and everything pink, with proceeds going to the McGrath Foundation. Action starts at Midday.
Last Modified on 27/11/2010 17:24
