THE Western Jets hunted like a hungry pack of dogs in a 63-point mauling of the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup at Wangaratta on Saturday.
From the word go, the Jets were ferocious at the stoppages, surrounding the contests in numbers and getting first use of the ball.
When the Bushrangers did get a feel of the leather, they were quickly set upon by an eager Jets onball brigade.
Jets region manager Shane Sexton told the Weekly his side thrived in the wintry conditions at Norm Minns Oval.
‘‘It was difficult conditions, rained throughout the entire game, but our kids played good wet weather footy,” Sexton said.
‘‘High pressure, high contested ball, high tackle count and we were able to control the game all day.
“It was really a whole team effort. There was a contribution across the board.”
There was an ever so quiet whisper that the game might not go ahead as planned after torrential overnight rain.
The wings were flooded, but a local plumber got to work to drain the surface water and the game went ahead as scheduled.
It was a big game for the Jets – wedged in between two bye weekends – with a return to the top eight at stake. The Jets players produced their best four-quarter performance of the year.
“We knew, just looking at the ladder, we needed to get the four points,” Sexton said.
“They played with that sort of intensity and got the job done.”
The game was all but over at half-time.
The Bushrangers’ first goal did not come until time-on in the second term. They would finish with four for the game, not nearly enough to beat a Jets side with Jake Greiser, James Sicily and David Iaccarino in top form.
Iaccarino has excelled this season. He booted two goals to go with another high possession game.
“He’s always been a talented player, but he hasn’t had a lot of luck,” Sexton said.
“As a 17-year-old, he had a shoulder reconstruction and missed a year, as an 18-year-old he got a scholarship to go to Geelong Grammar and that precluded him from playing much TAC Cup footy.
“He’s had a really consistent season [this season], high possessions, good work rate and contested ball.’’
There will be no TAC Cup football during the Queen’s Birthday weekend, but Vic Metro will be in action against NSW/ACT on Sunday at Visy Park.
The Jets’ next clash is against the Northern Knights on June 15.
