THE Western Jets were running on empty in the last quarter of a 10-point loss to TAC Cup premiership contenders Gippsland Power at Morwell on Sunday.
The fast-flowing game took its toll and the Jets could not hold on after leading by nine points at three-quarter-time.
Jets coach Torin Baker told the Weekly it was the most demanding game of the season for his players so far.
“It was the first real game where the guys were out on their feet at the end. It went up and down the ground fairly regularly, so we found some guys at the end of the game for the first time didn’t have a strong finish.”
The Jets will look back on their slow start as a big factor in the defeat. They conceded six goals to two in the opening quarter and spent too much energy in the next hour to get back into the contest.
“We just made a couple of really poor defensive decisions early in the game,” Baker said.
“We didn’t win enough of the ball in the middle of the ground and in the end it’s probably come back to haunt us.”
The Power, a one-point loser in last year’s grand final, are one of the benchmark teams and showed why they’re a contender with a dominant six-goals-to-three final term.
What does it say about the Jets?
One quarter, they can produce breathtaking football against one of the best sides in the competition. The next, they can go missing.
Baker wants to iron out the inconsistencies. “We know that we’ve got a group that has got a real strong resolve. Pretty much every game, it’s been in the balance at three-quarter-time, so in a way it shows we’re a really competitive squad.”
One player leading the way in that respect is Mitch Norton. The pocket rocket booted five goals and continues to deliver the same high level of standards from week to week.
“He’s had a good, consistent year to date, playing as a small forward,” Baker said.
“He’s a very smart player who has really good speed off the mark, so he’s very hard to stop off the lead, and he’s also very good when the ball hits the ground.”
Liam Duggan had a break-out game in defence for the Jets. His aerial work and setting up of play out of the back half was a feature.
Another defender to have a solid game was Harley Walshe, who limited the impact of dangerous Power forward Josh Scott.
Scott booted four goals, but the Power runs a lot of his attack through the key position player and Walshe bettered him in most one-on-ones.
The Jets will face Tasmania at Highgate Recreation Reserve on Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, Vic Metro and Vic Country will meet in a trial game on Sunday, with Jets stars Harrison King, Jake Greiser, James Sicily and Harley Armstrong in the extended Metro squad.
TAC CUP SCOREBOARD
Gippsland Power 18.11 (119) d Western Jets 16.13 (109). Western Jets – goals: M. Norton 5, J. Sicily 3, B. Said, O. Abou-Zeid 2, M. Orr, D. Burton, D. O’Leary, L. Hickey. Best: L. Duggan, M. Norton, J. Robinson, D. O”Leary, H. Walshe, J. Laverde.
