THERE were times on Saturday when the Western Jets were vulnerable.
They might have started with a scintillating six-goals-to-one opening term against the Northern Knights in the TAC Cup at Visy Park, but their stranglehold over the game loosened considerably as it wore on.
The Jets managed to hold on for a 15-point win, but coach Torin Baker conceded his side had terms dictated to them by the Knights for lengthy periods in this crucial bout between two finals hunting sides.
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“One of the things that was good … we were able to get off to a great start,” he told the Weekly.
“Credit to Northern, they really changed the way the game was being played and, tactically, didn’t allow us what we were trying to get. So they worked their way back into the contest.
“They were just able to ensure our defenders were not able to drop off their opponents at any stage. At the same time, they crowded our forward line in the second quarter and our guys really struggled finding a target inside 50.”
As with all good sides, the Jets were able to find a way when challenged. They isolated key forwards Harrison King and Caleb Sullivan in dangerous one-on-one contests to good effect.
And they found run and carry from Liam Duggan off half-back and through the middle.
Jake Greiser got his hands dirty in the clinches, while David Iaccarino wore down his opposite number with tireless run.
The pendulum swung back into the favour of the Jets in the third and they were able to keep the Knights at arm’s length on the scoreboard. “We were able to right the wrongs from the second quarter,” Baker said.
There were few more important players on the field than Lachlan Hickey. The 17-year-old provides an X-factor for the Jets in that he can be used in varying roles.
“He’s such a versatile player,” Baker said.
“We’ve played him at different stages on a wing, down back and up forward, and he meets every challenge.”
Hickey had one of his best games as a half-forward.
