by Jonty the Jet
AUBURN continued its march towards the AFL Sydney Division Two finals and subjected the Nor-West Jets to a fifth loss in six matches when they outlasted the Jets by 35 points at Bensons Lane on Saturday.
The Jets got off to a good start with two early goals kicking against the wind, but the Tigers quickly shut down the home team’s momentum, replying with three of their own to take a six-point lead at the first break.
It was in the second term that Auburn broke the match open, dominating all facets of the game as Nor-West slipped in some bad habits, and the visitors piled on 4.7 to nothing to lead by 37 points at half time.
Having not scored since the mid-way point of the first quarter, the Jets copped a bake from coach Garry Bull at half time and they responded with some of the football everyone at the club knew they were capable of, holding Auburn scoreless in the third quarter, however, they were unable to make a big enough dent in the deficit, adding only two goals of their own to bring the margin down to 22 points at three quarter time.
There was hope of a courageous come-from-behind win, but the Tigers quickly snuffed that out with four quick goals to blow the margin out before the Jets kicked the last two to pull the final score back to 11.9 75 to 6.4 40, in the process winning the second half in a brave effort on tired legs.
Centreman Ryan Johnston produced his second outstanding performance in a row to be best on ground, Owen Butcher won plenty of the football on the wing and Paul Webster worked tirelessly all day to dominate the ruck, while Josh Cass, Josh Howe and Andrew Travers were terrific in their second matches of the day.
NOR-WEST 2.0 2.0 4.3 6.4 40
AUBURN 3.0 7.7 7.7 11.9 75
NWJ Goals: J Howe 2, P Webster, R Johnston, A Travers, A Scott.
NWJ Best: R Johnston, O Butcher, J Cass, P Webster, J Howe, A Travers.
THE reserves knew their position in Division Four would be decided in their match against bottom team Auburn, with the loser almost certain to be relegated at the end of the season.
And with a strengthened team that included a club-record equalling 10 goals from Andrew Travers, Nor-West ensured the result wasn’t in doubt with a blistering first term after the Tigers had strangely won the toss and kicked against the wind.
The Jets were electric in the first 22 minutes, kicking eight goals to one in their best quarter of football for the season, and with a 43-point lead, the contest was over.
The undermanned Tigers requested to pull the remaining three quarters back to 15 minutes each due to the warm conditions, and the Jets dropped the intensity in the second quarter, with the visitors booting two goals to one.
However, it didn’t take long for Nor-West to regain control, and they cruised to the line with five goals in the third quarter and four in the last while holding Auburn scoreless to run out 95-point winners, 18.10 118 to 3.5 23.
Travers proved he was a class above the grade at full forward with his 10 goals, while captain Michael Gray was sublime in a best on ground performance that outshone his spearhead.
Stephen Chase won countless possessions around the ground, as did Gerard Smits, Brock Gibson and Matt Davidson, while Mat Laurence and Seb Goldrick were impassable across the half back line.
NOR-WEST 8.3 9.4 14.8 18.10 118
AUBURN 1.2 3.5 3.5 3.5 23
NWJ Goals: A Travers 10, S Potts 2, S Chase, G Smits, G Bull, S Braid, G Hoffman, M Gray.
NWJ Best: M Gray, S Chase, L Allan, S Goldrick, G Smits, B Gibson, A Travers, M Laurence.
The Jets complete their 2011 on-field campaign with a bus trip to Curl Curl’s Weldon Oval this week to take on Manly-Warringah, with reserves at 12.30pm and seniors at 2.30pm – see Jonty to book one of the few remaining seats.
The vote count for the Shipley and Hibbins Medals will take place at R.G. McGees from 12pm this Sunday, with all welcome to attend.
Last Modified on 09/08/2011 12:52
