TAC Cup: Western Jets’ pressure, defence a winning combo

A dominant four-quarter performance from the Western Jets has handed them their first TAC Cup win for the season.

The Jets were out of the blocks quickly at Highgate Reserve, having 11 scoring shots to the Northern Territory’s two in the first quarter.

They continued that ascendancy to win by 122 points: 23.12 (150) to 3.10 (28). Jets coach Torin Baker said his side’s pressure and defence were there from the start of the game.

“From a team’s point of view, we have been getting closer each week and playing better each week,” he said.“The opposition was experimenting a bit [ahead of the national championships] but are inexperienced at this level.

“We knew we were a slower team and they had a lot more leg speed.

“We wanted to really bring great pressure and defence to our game, which we did.

“We won the midfield battle and the clearances and were able to get it into the forward line where we had the height advantage.”

Baker said the spread of goal-kickers and a more even contribution across the field than in previous weeks were keys to his side’s improvement.

Tylar Vujanic kicked five goals for the Jets, with Mitchell Morton and Brenton Payne bagging three each.

Corey Ellis continued his great start to the season in a best-on-ground performance.

Baker said Ellis, Payne, Jayden Laverde, Billy Myers, Connor Menadue and Dylan Viojo-Rainbow would play in the Vic Metro trial game this weekend, while the rest of the side had the week off for Easter.