With more than a dozen players unavailable for this important clash, including Skipper and spearhead Paul Webster, defensive key Daniel Guthridge, and the injured Army pair of Grant Hoffmann and Kyle Clarke, the Jets knew the task would be a tough one, as Penrith had been promoted from Division 4 after upsetting Gosford in the big dance on 2012.
Co-coaches Chris Kyle and Mick Gray added much needed experience to a youthful line up, and Nor-West took the early initiative in the first term, as they added 3 goals and 5 behinds and restricted the Rams to 2 goals. Troy Clent was proving difficult to match up on at Centre Half Forward, while Aaron Bayne continued his rich vein of form at full back, shutting down his dangerous opponent and showing him a clean set of heels on more than one occasion to set up forward opportunities. Louie Butler showed the class he is capable of in the centre along with Ethon Coombs, and only 9 points separated the two teams.
In perfect conditions, the Jets let the Rams back in the game in the second quarter with some wayward kicking, and could only manage 1 goal and a reckless 6 behinds while conceding 3 goals to the home side. In fact, the goal post was struck 8 times over the course of the game as both sides squandered chances. The intensity was there across the ground, with Pete Martinoli, Brad Pond and Dave Clinch asserting their authority on their opponents, Clinchy making a meal of the experienced Tayt Corless in a bone rattling hit. It was only 14 points at the main break, and with only 3 games until a potential finals berth, Nor-West were instructed to lift their game and focus on playing clean football.
Penrith again put the defensive squeeze on the Jets, allowing only 1 goal and a wasteful 7 behinds in the third, but Nor-West kept their hosts scoreless. Luke Judd was proving influential, with only his 6th game of football, while Mick Morgan gathered some telling touches against his old club.
The Rams were only 5 goals down at the last break and were still a punchers chance to knock off Nor-West, but 4 goals in the last, including some classy work from Chris Kyle up front who finished with 4 for the day, as the Jets took the valuable 4 points back to Bensons Lane, but more importantly, earned some breathing space in 5th spot from Western Subrubs, just 2 games behind.
Goal Kickers: C. Kyle 4, J. Carpenter 2, M. Gray 1, B. Pond , L. Judd , T. Clent , M. Morgan
Best Players: L. Butler, A. Bayne, B. Pond, E. Coombs, P. Martinoli, M. Gray
Last Modified on 01/08/2013 12:26
