WHEN legendary AFL coach Tommy Hafey recently took training for the Nor-West Jets, he said the only true defeat was giving up.
The Jets will take Tommy's words on board as they prepare for next year after a season that failed to live up to their expectations.
Nor-West finished ninth (with three wins) at the conclusion of last week's home and away rounds, after senior coach Brendan Howden predicted a possible finals appearance at the start of the season.
Injuries and defence force commitments robbed the Jets of depth after they started the season with three excellent wins.
But the Jets found a positive when young players were able to step up and take important roles in the team structure. Fraser Thompson, Nick Cain, Peter Kyle, Rob Philp, Chris Laing and Clint Gardner, all only 20-years-old, consistently finished in the best players and goal kickers' list.
New recruits Nathan Holland, Matt Blackborough, Jim Lavery and David Blyth quickly established reputations as top players in the competition, while young veteran Michael Earl again led by example.
John Spring's reserve grade team developed several players, including Joe Pajeska, Chris Kyle, Andrew Watson, Mark Howden, Brett Carroll, Don Waterston and James Stonham, who stepped up to play vital senior fill-in roles.
Chris Kranasich coached the under 18s team to a semi-final appearance in a difficult year punctuated with unrealistic travel requirements for young amateur footballers.
Daniel Guthridge, Peter Davidson, Jason Kemp and David Noske were youngsters who tasted open-age football throughout the year.
Last Modified on 27/11/2010 15:33
