DIGNITY. Rest In Peace.
A week is a long time in football, and the Nor-West Jets found that out in the most painful way possible outside of finals elimination when they were humiliated by Penrith by 97 points in the AFL Sydney Division Two competition at Emu Plains’ Dukes Oval on Saturday.
In an embarrassing display, the likes of which haven’t been seen by the club for many a year, the Jets were made to look like witches hats as they surrendered the Riff-RAAF Cup to the Rams with barely a whimper.
In fact, Nor-West’s only goal came from a reversed free kick and 50 metre penalty to Josh Howe with just two minutes of the match remaining, and it was quickly answered as the siren sounded, with only Penrith’s inaccurate kicking saving Nor-West from a 20-goal plus thumping as the home team won 15.19 109 to 1.6 12.
What made the capitulation even worse was that it came just seven days after the club’s best win of the season, by 43 points over the previously undefeated Sydney University, although the Students’ 59-point hammering from Holroyd-Parramatta on Saturday put that result somewhat into perspective.
There were no excuses for the Jets, who were outplayed all over the ground and surrendered possession meekly on many occasions, despite fielding their strongest team of the season, with only defenders Matthew Lloyd and Sam Makins and forward Chris Kyle missing.
Teenage star Josh Cass once again led the way for Nor-West, while late inclusion Daniel Guthridge tried hard in defence, Paul Webster battled manfully in the ruck and Andrew Travers showed signs in his first match since returning from overseas RAAF duties.
The only positive to take out of the result was the vagaries of the draw, which will give the Jets the chance to make amends against the Rams in just five weeks time.
Nor-West will need to switch back on as soon as possible, and it gets the chance with the next three matches at home, starting with this Saturday’s rescheduled clash against Camden at Bensons Lane.
NOR-WEST 0.2 0.3 0.3 1.6 12
PENRITH 2.4 5.8 12.15 15.19 109
NWJ Goal: J Howe.
NWJ Best: J Cass, D Guthridge, P Webster, P Sherwood, A Travers, D Ollington.
PENRITH ensured it was a dark day for Nor-West when it ran away in the second half to record a convincing 38-point victory in the reserves that left the Jets still only percentage ahead of the relegation zone.
In an tight first half, the Jets put themselves in with a chance of their second victory, with scores level at the first break and the Rams leading by just two points at half time.
But a lack of fitness took its toll after half time as Penrith kicked five unanswered goals in the third quarter and cruised to to a 15.12 102 to 9.10 64 win.
Chris Ahearn and Tom Roberts put in quick claims for a senior recall, while Chris Collins provided plenty of drive, rookie Seb Goldrick repelled plenty of forward moves and Luke Allan and Adam Scott also had their moments.
The Jets hit the road for their rescheduled round three match, meeting UTS at Waverley Oval, Bondi Junction, with a 10am start on Saturday morning.
NOR-WEST 3.3 6.4 6.6 9.10 64
PENRITH 3.3 6.6 11.9 15.12 102
NWJ Goals: M Davidson, 3, J Bray, M Laurence 2, T Roberts, A Scott.
NWJ Best: C Ahearn, T Roberts, C Collins, S Goldrick, L Allan, A Scott.
Last Modified on 06/06/2011 15:14
