The new-look Western Jets on-ball brigade was dealt a harsh lesson by arch-rival Calder Cannons with a 40-point flogging in the opening round of the TAC Cup at Highgate Recreation Reserve on Saturday morning.
The bulk of the Jets who ran through the midfield were familiar faces but had little experience at the coal face.
PICTURE GALLERY: Calder Cannons v Western Jets
Jets coach Torin Baker wasted no time sifting through the match footage to come up with answers for players who he wants to fast-track into their new positions.
“We have a new on-ball group that haven’t played on the ball a lot in the TAC Cup because our top age group from last year were our stock onballers,” he told the Weekly.
“Most of them are new in the role, but they have to learn and quickly.
“I’ve identified some things they can work on – not talent wise, just positioning – and I’m sure they’ll get better for it.”
Corey Ellis was the exception to the rule for the Jets. He was switched into the centre in the second half and did a lot of the grunt work, while also hurting the opposition with his run and carry and exquisite foot skills.
“He was hard at the contest, really cracked in,” Baker said. “He’s also got sublime foot skills and gave us some good ball use.”
The Jets were behind on the scoreboard from the get-go as the Cannons made full use of the breeze to lead by 23 points at quarter-time.
A flurry of wasted attacking opportunities in the second quarter term consigned the Jets to a game of catch-up football.
They took the wrong option on numerous occasions, be it playing on and getting tackled or fluffing a short pass when using the wind might have been a wiser choice.
Down 21 at half-time, the Jets were made to pay for their sloppy play in attack when the Cannons booted four goals to one in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.
“Ultimately, we should’ve been much closer at half time,” Baker said.
“Not pegging back that difference in the second quarter made it really hard to win once they kicked a couple more in the third quarter and it got out to a six-goal margin.
“We rued the opportunities we missed.”
Connor Menadue was one of the standouts for the Jets in the practice matches and he carried his form into the first home-and-away match, while Mitch Norton excelled in a variety of roles and Liam Carter was solid down back.
Brenton Payne only made a handful of appearances in Jets colours last season, but with three goals and commanding performance in attack, he could become permanent this winter.
“He’s a tall, hard-working, hard-leading quick forward,” Baker said.
“He really leads up well at the footy.”
The Jets will face Sandringham Dragons in the second round at Highgate Recreation Reserve at 10am on Sunday.
