THE Nor-West Jets are once again the kings of the Sydney AFL Second Division after a hard-fought 16-point win over Uni of NSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs at Kelso Oval on Saturday.
In what was predicted to be their toughest challenge of the season, the Jets went behind early and resisted a third quarter rally from the Bulldogs to win 8.9 57 to 6.5 41.
The Jets wrapped up the win in front of a large and noisy crowd.
You can't wipe the smile off my face," jubilant co-coach Peter Kyle said of winning the premiership in his maiden year of coaching.
It was probably the best game I've ever played in to be honest.
"But more credit to my boys because they held out, which made it even more special knowing we had got a mighty challenge from our opponent."
After a tight start, the Bulldogs kicked the first goal of the match to take an early lead, the first time the Jets have trailed in 2006.
However, it was shortlived as Luke Ayling took a strong mark and kicked his first goal to set up a one-point lead at quarter time in what proved a tense battle.
Nor-West stepped it up a notch in the second quarter as Andrew Travers and Nathan Holland started making their presence felt in defence, while Ayling banged on two more goals and Dom Shipley took a strong mark and goalled from near the boundary to give the Jets a 17-point lead at half time.
The signs were there that the Jets were getting on top and it only looked like a matter of time before they blew the match open, especially with Ben Ness and Damien Brown on fire in the middle and Peter Kyle and Steve Chase dominating in defence.
Ness' contribution can't be underestimated, as he stepped into the middle for the finals after the serious shoulder injury to star on-baller Gerard Smits in the last home and away match.
He lifted his game brilliantly to fill some massive shoes.
"With the loss of Smitsy (Gerard Smits), we lost a lot of drive out of the midfield," Kyle said.
"To be honest, Nessy was above and beyond the call of duty, he did everything required of him and didn't spend any time on the bench and went very well."
With the Jets also missing stalwart defender Adrian Wagner, who broke his wrist in the second semi final, there was plenty of experience out of the team, but again those that came in lifted to cover the gaps.
Nor-West came out of the blocks early in the third quarter with Ayling's fourth goal and a major to returning midfielder Casey Wenselowski stretching the margin to 29 points and it looked like it was all over.
But someone forgot to tell the Bulldogs they were in trouble and a spirited comeback was mounted.
Patrick Boyd and Trevor Watson ignited the fightback, the likes of which the Jets had not seen this year.
The Bulldogs kicked three goals in as many minutes late in the quarter to slice the margin to just 11 points at three quarter time and wrest the momentum their way.
An impassioned plea from Kyle and assistant coach Wagner at three-quarter time paid dividends, as the Jets shut down the free-flowing Bulldogs midfield.
When Vance cleverly called the forwards to lead and boot a long goal through the vacant Bulldogs' goal square, quickly followed by Ayling roving the pack to snap his fifth, the Jets had the silverware in their safe keeping.
Travers was named best on ground and picked up the match ball for a brilliant performance, while Chase and 2005 Armstrong Medallist Burrows were chaired from the ground after announcing their retirements and going out with back-to-back premiership medals.
"It shows what we can take to first division next year," Kyle said.
"It was great to go undefeated in my first year as coach with full support from (co-coach and also maiden coaching season) Milkins, (football manager) Glenn Whitney should get a lot of support in this.
"It hasn't been a job done on my own, I'm very proud of what we've done.
Last Modified on 27/11/2010 15:06
