THE Nor-West Jets got their first glimpse at the future of the club at Bensons Lane on Saturday, and it was a view that warmed the heart of every blue and white supporter.
After an eight-year hiatus, the Jets relaunched their under 18s team, and the Junior Jets showed immediate promise as they eased to a 37-point victory over Moorebank in their season opener.
In a tight and high standard contest, Nor-West gradually worked its way to the ascendancy, winning each of the last three quarters to run out 14.9 93 to 8.8 56 winners.
The boys’ performance masked the disappointing showing from the seniors and reserves, which once again crashed to heavy opening round defeats on their home ground, the Division Two team going down to the Magpies by 47 points, and the Division Four line-up smashed by 82 points by Penrith.
It was an exciting start to the U18 game as both Nor-West and Moorebank traded blows in the first quarter after Seb Goldrick wrote his name in the history books with the reborn team’s first goal in the opening minutes before the Magpies hit back to gain the lead.
The teams went goal for goal to be locked together at 3.3 apiece at quarter time, and the pattern continued through most of the second term until the Jets kicked two late goals to move 14 points clear at the main break and gain the ascendancy.
Nick Edwards was dominant all day, kicking three goals in a near best on ground performance, and he was receiving great support from Hayden Barlow, Jarred Coull (two goals each), Jesse Cass and Goldrick, who used their speed, skill and strength to hold the Magpies at bay.
Nor-West effectively sealed the victory with another impressive showing in the third quarter, which yielded four goals to two for a 26-point lead before cruising home with three to one in the last for a comfortable victory.
While it was the established Hawkesbury juniors who dominated around the ground, it was the performance of the club’s new recruits that really had people talking.
South Australian newcomer Ethan Coombs was an excellent contributor and showed he will be a valuable acquisition, while Sebastien Lorenz looked like a natural at full back in his first ever game of Australian Rules to also be one of the best on ground, and another first gamer in Harry Stever also had plenty of poise.
The young Jets travel to Maroubra to take on fellow newcomers Saints AFC in round two on Sunday, April 15, and there are still a number of positions available in the squad for boys who want to experience just how great our native game is.
Training is at Bensons Lane every Tuesday and Thursday at 6.15pm, and new players are always welcome – simply turn up or call coach Mark Johnston on 0425 837 227 for further details.
The news wasn’t as good in the open age grades, as Nor-West crashed to Moorebank 16.13 109 to 9.8 62 in the Division Two match.
The Jets struggled to match the size and fitness of the Magpies from the opening bounce, and it was only their tenacity that kept them in the contest for as long as they did.
Moorebank led by 14 points at quarter time and 21 at the main break, and although the Jets cut the margin to 10 midway through the third term, the visitors romped away with the last four goals of the term and added four more in the last for an easy win.
Full back Daniel Guthridge starred for Nor-West to keep the margin in check, while coach Don Ollington, key recruit David Clinch and midfielders Grant Hoffmann, Tom Roberts and Owen Butcher could also hold their heads high.
The reserves had it even tougher as Penrith took advantage of an opening round bye for its senior team to drop a clutch of quality players back to Division Four, including joint Div2 league best and fairest winner David Bradley and grand final best on ground Daniel Schroot, and they carved the undermanned and unfit Jets up to win 17.12 114 to 5.2 32.
It was a horribly disappointing result in club legend Peter Kyle’s 100th game, Matt Davidson’s 50th and Gerard Smits’ retirement match, and apart from classy midfielder Lachlan Eldridge and recruits Troy Clent and Brad Pond, the Jets’ lack of fitness showed out, and they will benefit from the return of 14 players from RAAF and Army exercises for their next match.
Both Division Two and Four travel to Manly-Warringah in round two on Saturday, April 14, with the reserves playing at 10am and the seniors at 12pm.
DIVISION TWO
Nor-West 3.2 4.6 7.7 9.8 62
Moorebank 5.5 7.9 12.11 16.13 109
Jets Goals: S Braid, T Roberts 2, S Tibben, P Webster, A Travers, A Bayne, R Johnston.
Jets Best: D Ollington, D Guthridge, G Hoffmann, T Roberts, O Butcher, D Clinch.
DIVISION FOUR
Nor-West 1.1 4.1 5.1 5.2 32
Penrith 5.1 11.5 13.8 17.12 114
Jets Goals: C Kyle 2, T Tibben, G Smits, L Eldridge.
Jets Best: T Clent, B Pond, G Smits, L Eldridge, M Brophy, S Chase
UNDER 18 DIV 2
Nor-West 3.3 7.7 11.8 14.9 93
Moorebank 3.3 5.5 7.6 8.8 56
Jets Goals: N Edwards 3, B Johnston, J Coull, H Barlow 2, S Goldrick, J Smith, A Cameron, C Curtis, M Sieders.
Jets Best: J Cass, H Barlow, J Coull, E Coombs, S Goldrick, S Lorenz.
Last Modified on 14/05/2012 21:17
