Four goals to one in the final quarter handed the Western Jets a come-from-behind win over Dandenong Stingrays in the TAC Cup on Saturday.
In what was an even game for the first three quarters, the Jets went into the final term at Dandenong’s Shepley Oval trailing by a point.
But with their hopes of a top-four spot on the line, they rallied.
The Jets shut the Stingrays down at one end of the ground, giving up just four scoring shots for the quarter while piling on the pressure inside their attacking 50.
It became all too much for Dandenong, with the Jets breaking down the defence and going on to secure the victory by 11.14 (80) to 8.15 (63).
Jets coach Torin Baker was rapt with his side’s performance.
“I think it was one of our best games of the year,” he said.
“The great thing was that we played four quarters, and we had great contributions from the whole group.
“That was the most pleasing aspect of the day.”
The Jets were forced to work hard early in the match, both sides kicking 3.4 in the first quarter.
Then the likes of Liam Duggan and Jayden Laverde stepped up for the Jets, who kicked three goals in the second term to take an 11-point lead into the main break.
Although the Stingrays fought back to hit the front, the Jets again showed why they will be a tough prospect for whoever they meet in the finals.
Baker was impressed with the way his side stayed composed under pressure.
“There was a bit of a scoring end and we were fairly pleased to be level at quarter time, given there was a two- or three-goal advantage,” he said.
“I think the ball was carrying 10 to 15 metres [further] down one end.
“We were in striking distance at three-quarter time and with that breeze it felt like we were in a good position.”
As well as standout games by draft hopefuls Duggan and Laverde, the Jets were also well led by Jackson Viola, who kicked three goals.
The win puts the Jets in the box seat to secure a top-four spot come finals. They are now third on the ladder with a 9-7 record and will meet 11th-placed Gippsland Power in the final round of the season on Saturday.
“We will place huge importance on the game,” Baker said.
“We can’t rest on what we did this week considering Gippsland are playing their last game for the year and probably treating it as their final. We need to put in a huge effort again.”
In other round 17 results, the Murray Bushrangers were too good for the Eastern Ranges; Sandringham edged out Gippsland; the Northern Knights smashed Bendigo by 77 points; and Geelong got over Oakleigh by one point.
