Everyone at Western Jets breathed a collective sigh of relief when youngster Blake Graham made a successful return, despite a 10-point loss to Sandringham Dragons, in the TAC Cup at Burbank Oval on Saturday.
Graham booted three goals only three weeks after finishing the Jet’s season opener in an ambulance with a serious concussion and no feeling in his legs, thankfully temporarily.
After his all clear to return, Graham played more than a bit-part role.
“It was an enormous relief,” Jets’ coach Torin Baker told Star Weekly. “He had the week’s break, he was seen by a specialist and cleared, so it was good to see him back on the field.
“He got on the scoreboard with three goals and just seems to find a way.”
But the Jets could not harness their positive energy and turn it into a victory. They charged home with four goals to one, with the breeze at their backs in the last quarter, but the deficit was just too much.
The wind ruled strongly at one end all day, but it was the Dragons ability to score three goals that proved the decisive factor.
“Sandringham got out in the first and the third quarters, and we were pegging them back in the second and fourth,” Baker said. “The two goals we conceded against the wind in the second quarter ended up being quite telling at the end of the game. When you lose by 10 points, it is probably, in the end, the difference.
“Overall, I was really pleased with our effort, we had more inside 50s and won the clearances, but we just wasted some opportunities going forward.”
Connor Griffiths impressed for the Jets. The onballer is hard and a smart user of the ball.
“I’ve been really impressed with the development in his footy from last year to this year,” Baker said. “He was a consistent four-quarter performer, and when we were challenging at the end, he was a big part of us getting close.”
Alex Bouris’s forward defensive pressure was a feature for the Jets, while athletic key defender Ryan Carter produced a number of goal-saving intercepts.
Brandon Lester, who had his 2015 season ruined with a broken collarbone, booted three goals.
The Jets will simulate an AFL-style fly-in, fly-out of Brisbane to take on Queensland in Aspley on Saturday. The team leaves Friday, plays at 10.30am Saturday, and returns that afternoon.“
