THE Nor-West Jets finally produced a performance more akin to their potential and registered their third straight AFL Sydney Division Two victory with an impressive 43-point triumph over the previously undefeated Sydney University at St Pauls Oval on Saturday.
The Jets were chastened by their inept showing in round one, when the Students piled on six unanswered goals in the first quarter on their way to a 24-point victory, and they controlled the match from start to finish to record a 14.10 94 to 7.9 51 win that consolidated their position in the top five.
Nor-West ensured it wouldn’t be blindsided early again, kicking four goals to two in the first term for a 13-point lead at the first break, with Sam Makins dominant in the last line of defence and Paul Sherwood proving damaging across the middle.
The Jets extended the margin to 20 at half time, sparked by some quality attacking play from Stuart Tibben, who kicked three goals, while Josh Cass was providing a strong target across the half forward line.
But it was the so-called premiership quarter where the visitors put the contest to bed, adding five goals to one to blow the margin out to 43 points, with back pocket Aaron Bayne’s two goals after long runs being a highlight.
Sydney Uni kicked two goals early in the final quarter to raise some hope, but the Jets shut things down again and finished off the win with the last two majors of the game.
Jake Berry continued his stellar form, adding five goals to his eight from the previous round, despite being often double teamed, with his pack marking a highlight.
However, he finished the match nursing a leg injury that could keep him out for up to a month in a huge blow to the Jets’ newfound momentum.
But the star of the show was at the other end, where recruit Warwick Smith produced his best game of the season against the Division’s leading goalkicker Troy Cole, who was restricted to just one goal after having kicked 43 in his first six matches and 22 in his past two home games.
NOR-WEST 4.3 6.6 11.8 14.10 94
SYDNEY UNI 2.2 3.4 4.7 7.9 51
NWJ Goals: J Berry 5, S Tibben 3, A Bayne 2, G Smits, J Moynihan, G Hoffman, P Sherwood.
NWJ Best: W Smith, S Makins, P Sherwood, J Cass, S Tibben, J Berry.
IN A complete contrast to the senior match, the reserves turned in another listless performance to slump to a 25-point defeat to the previously winless Auburn in Division Four at Mona Park.
The Jets were behind the eight-ball from the first bounce for the second consecutive week as no-shows, coupled with unavailabilities across the club left them to take the field two players short.
But there was still enough quality on the field to ensure the Jets should have been a strong favourite, however, only a select few put their hands up in a performance that could be described in part as disinterested.
After the scores were level at quarter time, Auburn drew away in each consequent term to run out convincing 12.17 89 to 9.10 64 winners, a result that leaves the Jets staring down the barrel of relegation to Division Five unless they can pull their act together soon.
Peter Richardson, Aaron Skinner and Mick Gray were the shining lights for the Jets, while Tony Joyce, Brock Gibson, Chris Collins and Scott Allan also tried hard and Daniel Graham provided a strong target with three goals, but their were too many passengers.
NOR-WEST 2.3 4.5 6.9 9.10 64
AUBURN 2.3 5.7 9.11 12.17 89
NWJ Goals: D Graham 3, D Beck 2, M Gray, P Richardson, L Sharpe, C Collins.
NWJ Best: P Richardson, A Skinner, M Gray, A Joyce, B Gibson, D Graham.
Last Modified on 30/05/2011 12:33
