The Nor-West Jets weathered a late fight back from 5th placed Sydney University to make it four wins in a row on Saturday at Bensons Lane.
Once again, the strong winds battered Bensons Lane and favoured the river end, and the Jets took the early initiative, using the breeze to great effect with 6 first quarter goals and keeping Uni to just 2 behinds. Daniel Guthridge, in his 100th game for Nor-West, stood tall as the experienced defender led the Jets backline to its usual miserly self, with strong support from Jerry Dilger, while the midfield of Owen Butcher and the Johnston boys collected important touches through the centre. The Jets dropped players behind the ball in the second quarter and restricted the Students to 3 goals but didn’t trouble the scoreboard themselves, such was the strength of the breeze. Only 12 points separated the teams at half time, in what was shaping as a brutal clash in the second half.
Nor-West managed 4 goals, including a classic from the clubhouse boundary from Captain Butcher, however the Students scored a late goal themselves into the breeze to keep the margin within striking distance, as the wind speed increased. The crowd held their breath as Sydney Uni peppered the Jets forward line with some dangerous use of the football, as they put on 3 goals and held the Jets across the centre. Brent Johnston and Michael Gray showed poise as the loose men in the backline and as the Jets carried the ball into their forward line and a shot sailed wide of the posts, the siren sounded and Nor-West prevailed by 11 points, 10.4-64 to 7.11-53.
Goal Kickers: P. Kyle 4, R. Johnston 2, M. Gray , O. Butcher , S. Tibben , D. Cruz
Best Players: B. Johnston, O. Butcher, D. Guthridge, J. Dilger, M. Gray, S. Tibben
| # | Player | G | BST |
|---|
| 2 |
|
4 |
0 |
| 5 |
Ryan Johnston
|
2 |
0 |
| 9 |
Stuart Tibben
|
1 |
6 |
| 17 |
Michael Gray
|
1 |
5 |
| 70 |
Owen Butcher
|
1 |
2 |
| 42 |
Dylan Cruz
|
1 |
0 |
| 72 |
Jermey Dilger
|
0 |
4 |
| 10 |
Daniel Guthridge
|
0 |
3 |
| 7 |
Brent Johnston
|
0 |
1 |
| 44 |
Kyle Clarke
|
0 |
0 |
| 15 |
David Clinch
|
0 |
0 |
| 39 |
Joshua Edwards
|
0 |
0 |
| 55 |
Benjamin Jennison
|
0 |
0 |
| 8 |
Ethon Coombs
|
0 |
0 |
| 49 |
Blake Heggie
|
0 |
0 |
| 23 |
Louis Butler
|
0 |
0 |
| 18 |
Troy Clent
|
0 |
0 |
| 74 |
Zane Priest
|
0 |
0 |
| 56 |
Zackary Coombs
|
0 |
0 |
| 47 |
Matthew Schwager
|
0 |
0 |
| 34 |
Liam Veigel
|
0 |
0 |
| 66 |
Alex Lorenzelli
|
0 |
0 |
In Reserve Grade, the Jets juggernaut continued when they accounted for North Shore Bombers. The Jets burst out of the blocks with a six goals to one first term as they used the breeze well, and North Shore were expected to score a similar amount in the second, but the home side had other ideas as they slammed on 5 goals in a fine display of run-and-carry football. Paul Webster was dominant up forward, finishing the day with 6 goals and handing off just as many to his team mates, while Musa Bakan used his pace and agility to bag a career high of 3 goals. Daniel Langford and Jesse Pinder made welcome returns to the team and were ferocious in their attack on the ball, with Dale Wellington and Sunday Achiek giving their midfield first use of the ball in the ruck. With a 64 point half time deficit, the Jets could’ve been excused for slowing down, but the 3rd term saw them play their best football for the year so far, 11 goals the result as they moved and shared the ball with great efficiency, the Bombers without any resistance. 3 more in the last, and 11 different goal kickers for the day, with the defence only allowing 7 points, as Nor-West continued on with a massive win, 25.8-158 to 1.1-7.
Goal Kickers: P. Webster 6, L. Sharpe 5, S. Braid 4, M. Bakan 3, D. Langford , A. Duot , D. Wellington , D. Harding , M. Guthridge , D. Linnett , C. Moore
Best Players: J. Pinder, D. Langford, P. Webster, D. Wellington, M. Bakan, D. Harding
| # | Player | G | BST |
|---|
| 24 |
|
6 |
3 |
| 20 |
Leigh Sharpe
|
5 |
0 |
| 29 |
Scott Braid
|
4 |
0 |
| 63 |
Musa Bakan
|
3 |
5 |
| 48 |
Daniel Harding
|
1 |
6 |
| 78 |
Dale Wellington
|
1 |
4 |
| 46 |
Daniel Langford
|
1 |
2 |
| 65 |
Michael Guthridge
|
1 |
0 |
| 73 |
Ajang Duot
|
1 |
0 |
| 43 |
Calum Moore
|
1 |
0 |
| 99 |
Doug Linnett
|
1 |
0 |
| 22 |
Jesse Pinder
|
0 |
1 |
| 68 |
Ashley Light
|
0 |
0 |
| 57 |
Joshua Miller
|
0 |
0 |
| 77 |
Matthew Brophy
|
0 |
0 |
| 33 |
Michael Morgan
|
0 |
0 |
| 64 |
Bradley Burn
|
0 |
0 |
| 31 |
Jack Bennett
|
0 |
0 |
| 28 |
Peter Martinoli
|
0 |
0 |
| 50 |
James Mccumiskey
|
0 |
0 |
| 3 |
Peter Richardson
|
0 |
0 |
| 4 |
Harry Stever
|
0 |
0 |
Round 16 action sees the Seniors head up the coast to battle Gosford, while on Sunday, it’s 1st vs 2nd place as the Reserves take on old foes Penrith at Greygums Oval.
Last Modified on 21/07/2014 12:33
