WE DID IT!!!!

The JETS broke their 1st Division Premiership drought at Manuka Oval on Sunday with a stirring 9-point victory over ANU in front of a huge, vocal JETS crowd. With foul weather that morning the game looked set to be a mud bath, however the skies cleared which paved the way for some slick, fast footy.

The JETS had prepared extremely well for the big one and it showed in the first quarter as they controlled the play from the start. Simon Roscoe kicked the first goal of the game in the first minute, and another quickly followed from Matt Black. Dale Frankel became the first of many casualties when an upper-cut to the ribs resulted in a punctured lung at the five-minute mark, and tragically Dale’s match was over – to his credit he sat out the match on the bench, supporting loudly. The JETS surge continued as ANU hardly touched the ball, and when another forward thrust resulted in a goal to Matt Porter, the JETS were on their way while the students were yet to settle. ANU were then awarded a free kick but their shot missed, then another chance went begging a few minutes later and they looked rattled. Matt Black stepped up again with some good work at half back an then followed the play to take a strong mark at half forward. Noticing a vacant goal square he let fly with a huge bomb which landed on its point just short of the goal line and was
rushed through. ANU cleared from the kick in but Jules Clarkson forced the turnover at half back and the JETS moved the ball swiftly into their forward line which forced a contest at ground level. Just as ANU were about to pick up the ball and clear again, Rosie Schlesinger soccered off the ground to Matt Porter who marked and made no mistake for the JETS 4th goal. The pain for ANU continued when Wade Carruthers got on the end of some slick hand passing and he snapped truly to make it 5 JETS goals for the quarter, and with a minute left the JETS won another centre clearance, resulting in another mark and goal to Matt Porter and the JETS went into the first change with a 32-point lead.

The second quarter will long be remembered by all at the JETS as the drama of this classic Grand Final began to unfold. Attacking once again, the JETS had possession inside their forward 50 and a quick hand ball from Matt Black to Andrew Kouvaras looked like the JETS would score again, however as Black released the ball he was pushed into the path of Kouvaras and knocked out from the clash. As Blacky was helped from the field it appeared he would be the second major casualty for the match. Shortly after slotting the JETS only goal for the quarter Rosie Schlesinger left the field with a rolled ankle, then to the dismay of the JETS Dave Bryant was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder leaving no one on the bench. When Simon McNiell was sent from the field under the blood rule the JETS had no one to replace him and they had to finish the second quarter with 17 players. The brutal second term saw the JETS with five key players missing and the momentum of the game had shifted in ANU’s favor as the JETS 32-point lead had been reduced to just 2 goals at the main break.

With Frankel and Bryant out of the game, and McNiell, Black and Schlesinger all in doubt the JETS needed to settle in the rooms at half time and re-focus on their game plan. ANU started strongly in the third quarter, scoring the first two goals to eat further into the JETS lead. Some slight relief came when Glen McClure marked and goaled, however this was the JETS last goal for the quarter as ANU began to get on top of the contest. They kicked a further two goals for the quarter and had plenty of momentum going into the final term, then Simon McNiell returned to the field bandaged, in head gear needing ten stitches to his head and had an immediate impact
on the game, flattening ANU’s Simon Tuan in a fair hit that saw him take no further part in the contest. This was the turning point in the match for the JETS as they clearly lifted to stop ANU’s run, and finished the quarter holding a 3-point lead at the last change.

In their last quarter for the season and a number of players on “one leg” the JETS had to call on everything to get through the game. Matt Black returned to the field to the delight of the crowd and was immediately involved in the play, providing that elusive forward option we had missed for almost half a game. Simon McNiell then showed great courage again, taking a strong pack mark which resulted in a goal to give the JETS an 11-point lead. ANU then came
at the JETS again, kicking two quick goals midway through the quarter to hit the front for the first time in the match. With the JETS looking out on their feet they had to dig deep once again, and when Ben Thornton’s 50m run around the boundary gave him a shot on goal it could have resulted in the spark the JETS needed, however it just missed to tie-up the game. ANU’s full back then produced a poor kick-in which put his team mate under enormous
pressure and Simon Roscoe swooped to lay a perfect tackle and receive a free kick 40m out. Roscoe then slotted the goal which sent the huge JETS crowd into raptures, and the JETS had
restored their lead. The fantastic crowd support continued as they began the JETS chant which gave the players the fuel they needed to run out the game and secure an historic 9-point win.

FINAL SCORE: JETS 10-12-72 def ANU 9-9-63

Best: A. Kouvaras, S. Roscoe, J, Ryan, R. Schlesinger, W. Carruthers, P. Stevens, J. Clarkson
Goals: 3 M. Porter, 2 S. Roscoe, 1 M. Black, W. Carruthers, R. Schlesinger, G. McClure, S. McNiell

The scenes of jubilation were a sight to behold as the JETS had broken through for their maiden Division 1 Premiership in a classic Grand Final that had all the drama and theatre you would expect. The courage of every player and the character to pull through such a brutal encounter will long live in the memory of all who witnessed the game. The frantic last quarter was unbelievable. Players from both sides were throwing themselves into every contest with no thought for self-preservation in a desperate attempt to gain the upper hand for their team.

ANU must be commended for their effort. They have proven over several years that they are finals specialists, and they produced something special once again in the Grand Final. Looking down the barrel at quarter-time they changed the course of the game in the second term and provided a massive contest for the rest of the game. Perhaps in the end their tough finals campaign took its toll but they were courageous to the very end.

For all who have been involved with the JETS this year, the players’ tremendous courage, character and resolve, and the fantastic supporters who pulled us through that classic last quarter, winning the Premiership in our 25th Anniversary year must be sweet reward.
Congratulations.

GO JETS!!