THE Nor-West Jets completed their preparations for this Saturday’s blockbuster Sydney AFL Division Two season opener against Sydney University with a strong 65-point victory over next door neighbours Penrith in a six-stanza practice match at Emu Plains’ Dukes Oval on Saturday.
The Rams, who have been promoted from Division Three after making last season’s grand final, have recruited well and showed they would be well and truly in the finals mix with a strong display that had the Jets on the ropes in the first two periods as they took a 15-point lead to the second break.
Nor-West, by contrast, looked flat early and its solid defence protected a potential bigger deficit before the team clicked into gear with seven goals to three in the third to wrest a seven-point advantage when half of each team’s senior players subbed out and were replaced by the reserves for the second half.
The Jets showed their depth after the main break, kicking away with 14 goals to five to score a 26.11 167 to 15.12 102 win to claim the inaugural Riff-RAAF Cup – the most pleasing aspect being the strong contributions of all players around the ground and the eight multiple goalscorers.
For the first time in recent memory, Nor-West will kick off it’s season at home when it takes on perennial powerhouse Sydney University at Bensons Lane from 2pm in what is shaping as a crackerjack round one encounter, while the reserves will start their campaign against UNSW-Eastern Suburbs at 12pm.
NOR-WEST 2.1 5.2 12.2 16.6 21.9 26.11 167
PENRITH 2.3 7.5 10.7 10.9 12.10 15.12 102
NWJ Goals: J Pinder 4, C Kyle, S Longman, C Wenselowski, A Fox 3, A Lawes, G Smits, J Thomson 2, L Allan, A Bayne, D Langford, C Collins.
Last Modified on 16/05/2011 14:02
