Tara Murray
The Western Jets have one eye on the future in the NAB League Boys competition.
The Jets have won just two games this season, as they have felt the flow on effects from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coach Robbie Chancellor said it had been tough at times this season.
“We have been a bit thin on talent,” he said.
“It’s the nature of the last two years that has hurt the region with the commitment to football and not being at school or playing football.
“It has dropped away and we’ve been trying hard with the community coaches to get them back in and playing.”
The Jets’ stocks were further hurt with co-captain Massimo D’Ambrosio being picked up in AFL mid-season draft by Essendon.
The defender has since played four AFL games and was nominated for the AFL rising star award.
Chancellor said while they were disappointed to lose D’Ambrosio, they were thrilled with how he had performed at the highest level.
“He was our best player,” Chancellor said. “He was always talented enough and he’s getting the job done.
“We were confident in him being able to do that if he got the opportunity. He deserved it.”
While results wise hasn’t been great for the Jets, it has meant that a number of players have gotten their opportunities.
Chancellor said they had virtually played everyone on the list so far.
‘We’ve gone more youthful,” he said. “A lot of 17-year-olds have played with an eye on the future.
“Hopefully they’ll keep getting opportunities at this level and we can see which ones adapt quickly at this level and what next year might look like.”
Diesel Moloney, Darcy Weeks, Logan Morris and Jake Smith are four players that have impressed Chancellor.
Jack Kovacevic is another younger player. He made his debut last season.
The Jets had the weekend off with a development round, with matches involving Vic Metro and Vic Country.
Chancellor was part of the Vic Metro coaching set up.
The Jets this week face the Greater Western Victoria Rebels on Saturday afternoon.
With a number of home games in the run home, Chancellor is hoping to finish on a high.
“Hopefully we will get our strongest team on the park by the end of the year,” he said.
“The nature of the league with the wildcard round, we have the chance to knock a few teams off.
“It will be good to have a good run of games at Willy [Williamstown] and Werribee.
“To play in front of our friends and family, we haven’t done much of that. Hopefully home advantage leads to us playing some good footy.”
