Another Sunday game on the road saw both the Seniors & Reserves playing at University of NSW in games that could seriously shape the outcome for both sides finals aspirations.
The Seniors after a week’s bye had freshend up and came out kicking into a gusty breeze but it did not bother the Jets who raced out to an early lead and leading the way was Stuart Tibben who was applying plenty of pressure to the opposition forward line while also creating offense. With the change of ends at qtr time the Jets continued marching on with Troy Clent and Andrew Travers allowing the mid field unit to keep pumping the ball into our forwards who managed to kick 6 goals for the qtr and saw the Jets 38 points up at the main break.
After half time it was our backline of David Clinch,Jebal Williams and Aaron Bayne who with their continual attack on the footy and hard straight line running kept the Bulldogs at bay as they mounted a charge. Ryan Johnston kicked a vital goal in the last qtr to cease back some momentum for the Jets as the Dogs kept coming in the last qtr . Kane Russell was continuing to give spark from the wing and the every reliable duo of Matt Smith and Johno Dowl remained composed as the Jets ended up running out victors by 23 points to make it a memorable victory for Aaron Bayne in his 100th game for the club. Aaron becomes the youngest and fastest to reach this mark for the Jets and we look forward to many more games to come.
Nor-west 14.9.93 def
UNSW/ES 10.10.70
Goal Kickers: S. Tibben 2, R. Johnston 2, J. Howe 2, A. Travers 2, E. Coombs , G. Hoffmann , C. Ahearn , P. Sherwood , D. Linnett , K. Russell
Best Players: R. Johnston, A. Travers, A. Bayne, J. Williams, K. Russell, D. Clinch
Another tense chapter was written in what has become a huge rivalry between the Jets and UNSW/ES Bulldogs old SFA teams on the weekend, as the Jets reserves headed to the unhappy hunting ground of Village Green to meet the 4th placed Dogs. After falling by 10 points at Bensons Lane in the first leg, the Jets knew a win was needed to keep their slim finals hopes on the line.
With some handy inclusions to the line-up, spearheaded by big man Luke Allan, Nor-West kicked against the wind in the first, but it was the home side that took the early initiative, kicking 4 goals in a vicious opening term. Captain Steve Chase was displaying his usual uncompromising approach to the football, and had many an ally in the blue and white as the Jets pushing their fancied rivals, as Allan booted a massive goal after a strong overhead mark.
Kicking with the wind in the second, the Jets put on two of their own and restricted the dangerous Dogs to one, and as tempers flared before the half time siren, the signs were there that this was going to be a huge second half. 18s captain Brent Johnston was in scintillating form on the ball, as he constantly led a dance around his many unsuccessful taggers, while Scott Longman and Adam Newton saved the Jets from a bigger score line at the long break with some desperate defensive efforts. Highlight of the quarter was a fine goal to the giant Ian ‘EasyTron’ Girvan after a 50metre penalty, in his last game of the season.
Longman was put into the centre after the break and big rig Jesse Bray placed in the defensive hole in what proved to be more effective, with Bray racking up a ton of possessions and breaking tackles at will, as the Jets and Dogs turned on an old fashioned slugfest, producing some excellent passages of play from both sides. The Dogs added 3 and the Jets with two of their own, including a fine crumbing goal from the Bobcat Mat Laurence, and with a 12 point deficit and their season on the line, the Jets were fired up for a big last quarter.
In what was their best, yet most heartbreaking quarter of the year, the Jets drew on their courage to keep the Dogs to just 2 behinds in the last, and added 3 of their own in a period of footy that made all at Bensons proud. Pete Richardson showed the heart and soul of the Nor-West with a superb effort to tag the Dogs dangerous loose man, including a vicious tackle in front of the scoreboard, and with a 4 point margin remaining for the final 3 minutes as the ball sailed from end to end, it was the Dogs that prevailed in the end.
Wepps Allan kicked 4 goals and one each to Laurence, Longman, Carroll and Girvan, while the best were Johnston, Longman, L Allan, Richardson, Bray and Newton.
The Jets faced 6th placed North Shore at Artarmon this week in what is again a must win game, but if they can draw on their clash with the Dogs and take it a step further, the game is there for the taking.
Nor-west 8.3.51 def by
UNSW/ES 8.7.55
Goal Kickers: L. Allan 4, S. Longman , I. Girvan , B. Carroll, M Laurence
Best Players: B. Johnston, S. Longman, L. Allan, P. Richardson, J. Bray, A. Newton
Next week will see all grades away in vital clashes before we return to fortress Benson for our final 2 rounds of the season with the final round being past player and official’s day.
Last Modified on 31/05/2013 07:41
