ONES
V ANU (JETS in the Big Show with Sights on Two in a Row)
For
the second time in as many weeks, the JETS took on ANU. While
last weeks game gave the winner the Minor Premiership, this
weeks game would see the winner straight through to the Grand
Final. The JETS had trained well during the week and were
physically and mentally prepared to turn the tables on ANU
from the previous week.
The
JETS hit the ground running in the first quarter, keen to
establish an early lead in the game and get ANU on the back
foot. The hard running, team oriented game that was lacking
for the JETS in last weeks game had returned, as had pressure
on the ANU ball carriers when the JETS weren’t in control
of the footy. The JETS were using the ball well around the
ground, choosing the right options and playing the game plan
superbly. In a solid opening quarter, the JETS added 4 goals
from 9 scoring opportunities to establish a handy 20 point
lead at the first break.
The
JETS came out hard early in the second quarter trying to capitalise
on their lead and force ANU into a defence style of play.
The JETS were dominating around the stoppages, with the midfield
players working hard to get first hands on the footy, create
space, and offer protection for each other around the ball.
The JETS were constantly driving the ball forward into attack,
with 10 shots on goal for the term resulting in 5 goals. At
the other end of the ground the JETS backline were well on
top of their opposition, thanks to the constant pressure on
ANU’s ball carriers further up the ground. The JETS
backline held ANU scoreless for the quarter to see the JETS
stretch their lead to 55 points at half time.
The
JETS knew that ANU would throw everything at them in the third
term and that is what they did. ANU started to run hard, show
commitment to the cause and did all they could to get back
in the game. The intensity of the game lifted noticeably,
with players from both sides putting on a super display of
hard, fast footy. Schlesinger kicked a fantastic goal late
in the quarter, dancing his way around three ANU defenders
like he was doing a soft shoe shuffle on ‘Dancing with
the Stars’. Despite another great quarter from the backline
who were making their opponents earn every kick, ANU added
5 goals to the JETS 4 for the quarter to reduce the JETS lead
to 46 points at ¾ time.
With
close to an 8 goal lead and one quarter of footy between them
and a grand final spot, the JETS could have been forgiven
for playing defensive footy to maintain their lead. The JETS
weren’t in that frame of mind however, and came out
running in the last quarter. As they had done all game, the
JETS midfield worked hard to get first use of the ball and
set up attacks into the forward 50. The forward line were
providing good options for the ball carriers and proving too
difficult for ANU to nullify with great delivery from the
JETS players further up the ground seeing the JETS add 4 goals
for the quarter. The JETS backline again proved their class
and commitment to hold ANU goalless for the second time in
the match. At the full time siren the JETS had a 73 point
victory to their name – nearly a 100 point turnaround
from the previous week – and another berth in a Grand
Final in two weeks time to look forward to.
GOALS:
Henderson 4, Truesdale 3, G Budd 2, J Burgess 2, R Schlesinger
2, A Kouvaras 2, W Carruthers1, J Kocmar 1
BEST: JB Hi Fi: P Henderson; Lakes Dinner: R Schlesinger;
G-Spot: A Wainwright; CyberBunker: T Pellow; CRP: G McLeod
The
JETS now have a week off to refresh before fronting up for
the Grand Final to defend the flag. If the JETS are prepared
to work hard for each other, apply constant relentless pressure
for four quarters, and most importantly enjoy the opportunity
to play together, the side will come away with what they have
been working hard for since training began in November last
year.
MAGOOS
V RMC (JETS Blown Away but Live to Fight Another Day)
The
JETS fronted up to Ainslie Oval to take on ANU with the confidence
that they had beaten the students in both games to date for
the season, and having a very strong side with close to the
full list of players available for the JETS. It was also Brad
Morgan’s 50th game for the club, and a win would see
the JETS magoos into their first grand final since 2003.
The
game started at a fast pace, with ANU running hard through
the middle of the ground. With the JETS giving some players
run-with roles for the game, and a number of senior players
coming into the side, the JETS seemed to be struggling to
adjust to their new structure. This was evident with the JETS
being a man short at centre bounces on two occasions during
the quarter. ANU were leading the JETS to the ball and creating
all the play, but the JETS were working hard and were able
to contain ANU to a 20 point lead at ¼ time.
Some
injury concerns caused another restructure for the JETS going
into the second quarter, but the side was confident they could
play much better footy and take the challenge to ANU during
the second quarter. Unfortunately all the confidence seemed
to get left in the ¼ time huddle, with the JETS letting
ANU lead them to the ball and the side having its worst quarter
for the year. ANU were doing all the hard running, making
the play and using the ball very well through the midfield
to provide their forwards with plenty of the ball and the
JETS backs with the near impossible task of trying to contain
them. ANU added 6 goals for the quarter to extend their lead
to 56 points at the long break.
With
a massive task in front of them, the JETS spoke of pride in
each other and the jumper at ½ time. They took the
talk onto the field in the third term, finally starting to
show commitment to the ball, applying pressure to ANU when
they had the footy, and working for each other. For most of
the quarter the JETS outplayed ANU to get a few goals on the
board and slightly reduce the deficit. The last five minutes
of the quarter saw the JETS let themselves down with some
undisciplined play to hand ANU easy goals. Instead of building
on the good work early in the quarter, the JETS seemed more
focused on arguing with the umpires about decisions that had
gone against them all day and were never going to change.
As a result, ANU were able to stretch their lead to a massive
79 points.
With
one quarter to restore some confidence and respect in each
other, the JETS played their best quarter of footy for the
day in the final term. Davis and May were outstanding for
the JETS in the backline, harassing their opponents and rebounding
the footy forward on a number of occasions. Morse continued
to battle hard as he had all day trying to lift the side.
Despite being outscored by 4 goals to 3 for the term, the
commitment and effort shown in the last quarter was at least
one positive to take out of the day that saw the JETS go down
by a final margin of 90 points.
GOALS:
Mace 3; Ingold 2; Hill 1
BEST: Lakes Dinner: K Morse; G-Spot: J Ryan; CyberBunker:
S May; The Pot: K Morse; CRP: R Davis
The
JETS effort and teamwork in the last quarter set a good building
block for the weeks training and the do or die final against
Belconnen. However, the game also showed that to win a final
requires four quarters of hard, committed and disciplined
football and all players will need to make sure that they
turn up in the right frame of mind for this extremely important
game. The JETS are good enough to go all the way this year
if they believe in themselves and each other, so go get em
JETS!
|
