Perfect weather greeted the Jets on Saturday as they played host to Division 1 newcomers the Camden Cats. Camden last played in the Sydney AFL back in 1995, winning a few premierships in the South Coast FL.
RESERVES MATCH REPORT v CAMDEN CATS
Reserve Grade took to the field chasing their second win in a row, a feat not achieved since 2004. The boys played hard but fair footy, winning every centre clearance against the undermanned Cats, and delivering into the forward 50 for good returns, putting on 6 goals 5 behinds to Camden’s single goal. Stewart Pottsy Potts, making his season debut, led hard all day and was well backed up by the crumbing pair of Rod Rocket Bayne and Chris Disco Kyle. Pete Pirate Richardson and Paul Wanga Sherwood won all the ball out of the centre, and the defence of Luke Nobes Noble, Jamie Rowie Rowe and Norm Guns Hanley stuck tight and repelled every forward foray of the Cats.
The second quarter saw the Jets become unfocussed at times, turning the ball over with silly errors, giving Camden their second goal early in the term. This fired up the Jets, who dominated the play after that, with Peter Browny Brown displaying his typical leadership abilities, controlling the middle and kicking two massive long range goals. New players Steve Physco Steaszek and David Beacroft took to the game with enthusiasm, hitting packs hard and showing the more experienced players that they intend on keeping their positions. The Jets went to the sheds with a commanding 71 point half time lead, and with plenty left in the tank, were determined to go on with the job.
After a half time spray from Coach Greg Jenkins, the Jets hit the ground running, playing a smarter brand of football in the second half, although at times tending to play a little selfish and not sticking to the game plan, piling on 11 goals and 11 behinds to chalk up their second win of the season, Jets 23.22-160 to Camden 3.3-21. Full credit to Camden as they never threw in the towel, but this is a Jets team that is full of confidence, and looking forward to meeting a top four team in Manly next week.
Goals: C.Kyle 6, S.Potts 5, P.Sherwood 2, P.Brown 2, G.Sillick 2, M.Blackburn, G.Delaney, C.Collins, T.Tibben, D.Shipley, R.Bayne
Best: C.Collins, P.Sherwood, P.Richardson, P.Brown, M.Yee, R.Bayne
SENIORS MATCH REPORT v CAMDEN CATS
Seniors knew they had a big job on their hand to secure their first win, with Camden fielding a young team thanks to a strong recruiting effort from Premier Division club Campbelltown. With Jon Schoey Schoenmaker and captain Andrew Shagga Travers returning from Air Force football duties, the Jets were confident they could get over the line.
Camden started the game with a good structure, kicking the first 2 goals of the game before the home side could react, with fullback Matt Velvet Lloyd sending many of Camden’s attack straight back up the ground to Jack Sparrow Pascoe, Stephen Stav Davidson and Nick General Milkins. Travers was in great form, taking several strong marks and dictating the play, using the Jets running brigade of Damian Harry Williams, Joe Munnas Munro, Mitch Pies Billingham and Gerard Boris Smits to good effect.
The Jets were a point down at the first break, and with the use of a slight breeze in the second quarter, knew that ball control was paramount. Paul Knighty Knight proved a great target up front, with strong leading and unselfish play to kick one and set up another. The backline of Lloyd, Luke Paris Hilton, Scott Scallan Allan and Daniel Guffo Guthridge were proving hard to beat, and Aaron Whilesy Whiles, in only his third game of football, was hitting the packs like a man possessed. Aaron won his fair share of the ball in a number of positions, displaying a skill level of a seasoned veteran. The Jets put on 3 more goals to go to half time leading by 14 points.
The second half was nail-biting footy, Camden using the wind advantage in the third to take a one point lead at the final break, but Nor-West showed true resolve in the last, Camden threw everything they had at the home team, but the Jets could smell a victory. Knight was moved to the ruck and Travers to full- forward in what was a coaching masterstroke, kicking 4 goals in an inspired captain’s game, leading the Jets to their first win of the season, beating the never-say-die Cats by 42 points, Jets 14.10-94 to Camden 8.4-52.
Goals: A.Travers 5, S.Davidson 2, A.Whiles, D.Williams, P.Knight, G.Smits, P.Kyle, D.Waterston, J.Schoenmaker
Best: A.Travers, N.Milkins, S.Davidson, G.Smits, M.Lloyd, A.Whiles
Reserve Grade set a few records on the day, including a highest score by a Reserve Grade team, and Chris Kyle leading the Competition Goals with 12, and for the first time sit in third position on the ladder, while the win by the Seniors sees them lift to sixth spot, jumping Camden and Holroyd-Parramatta.
The Jets face a much tougher test next week, taking on 2007 Premiers Manly-Warringah at Weldon Oval, Harbord.
Last Modified on 04/08/2009 17:53
