THE Western Jets are breathing a sigh of relief after escaping with a six-point win over North Ballarat Rebels in a TAC Cup game at Eureka Stadium on Sunday.
The Jets were in command at half-time with a 36-point lead and seemingly headed for a percentage booster, but the game took a dramatic twist after the main break.
The Rebels launched an audacious comeback, booting four unanswered goals in a low-scoring game and keeping the Jets to just two behinds for the whole of the second half.
The Jets were thanking their lucky stars after somehow holding on for a victory that keeps them in touch with the top four.
“Without doubt it was a big relief to get the win,” Jets coach Torin Baker said. “I don’t think there was an enormous amount of satisfaction in the way we played, but we are satisfied to get the result.”
The momentum of the game shifted on the back of the midfield battle.
In the first half, Jake Greiser, Connor Menadue, Brett Bewley and James Sicily were dominant for the Jets.
But in the last hour the Rebels started getting first use of the ball, while the Jets had injuries to star players Harrison King (ribs) and Mitch Norton (shoulder) and let a bit of complacency creep in.
Greiser did much of the grunt work in the middle for the Jets to earn best-afield honours.
The Jets will rise and shine early for a trip to face the Oakleigh Chargers at Warrawee Park on Saturday morning.
