Point Cook came out breathing fire as it sought redemption for its derby disaster the week before.
The Jets took all their anger out on fellow Football Federation Victoria state league 4 promotion contender Surf Coast in a 4-0 mauling at Saltwater Reserve on Saturday.
“The boys had to show up this week,” Jets’ coach Craig Filer told Star Weekly.
“They let me down, they let the club down, they let themselves down last week against a poor Truganina side, which I have to say were the better side on the day, and we’re not going to hide from that fact.
“They fought for everything, they were first to the ball, so I have no complaints about the result last week, but I have complaints about the way our boys applied themselves.
“This week was totally different, we had a week to think about the result, a week to work on things but, ultimately, it comes down to wanting it, and the guys wanted it today.”
It was a matter of life or death for Point Cook’s season at the weekend. The Jets needed the win to stay alive in the promotion hunt, and they stuck to their bargain.
They are still six points outside the top two – and that Truganina loss could still come back to haunt them – but the sixth-placed Jets, which have won five of their past seven matches, will fight until the end.
“We’ve got a slim hope,” Filer said. “As long as there’s hope, we’ll believe we can do it.
“Today was the hope the boys wanted, to say we’re a better side than this, and we still believe we’re the best football side in the league.
“We keep going now. We’ve got two massive games, two massive games for our opposition, as well, because they have to beat us, because they’re fighting for the same prize as us.”
The return of striker Dale Howarth to Point Cook’s front line gave the side a more potent look. The Welshman struck a hat-trick on his return from the UK to take his season tally to 12 goals in 10 games.
“He’s a star,” Filer said. “He’s one of those players that on his day is unstoppable.
“We haven’t had him for a couple of weeks and you miss quality players like that because he’s somebody who can pull a rabbit out of a hat.
“Dale also gives you is a lift in the dressing room because he’s quite a charismatic character.
“He’s confident in his own ability and that helps other players around him as well,” he said.
Dion Portelli and David Gazzard were resolute in defence, while Morgan Filer and Justin Galea combined well in the midfield.
It was a marked improvement across the board for Point Cook compared to its Truganina clash.
“The week before I didn’t have one good player in the side, today they all did exactly what I asked them to do,” Filer said.
Point Cook will travel to second-placed Bell Park on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Truganina came back down to earth with a 3-1 home loss to Sebastopol Vikings.
The Hornets’ only goal was a second half consolation through Blake D’Antino.
In state league 2, Hoppers Crossing threw the promotion race wide open after downing second-placed Essendon Royals 2-1 at Grange Reserve.
The Reds are a long shot, six points outside the top two, but where there’s life, there’s hope.
Matko Budimir and Kevin Smart provided that hope as the Reds’ goalscorers.
The Reds face top-of-the-ladder Geelong at Stead Park on Saturday.
