When you are a side that’s rebuilding, little victories within a game can make losing a touch more palatable.
The Western Jets have not been in the same stratosphere as their three TAC Cup opponents to date, lacking in both playing experience and on the scoreboard.
They have lost their opening three games by an average of 73 points, but there are positives.
Competitive periods have put a smile on the dial, temporarily, of coach Torin Baker and the other coaches.
Eye-catching performances from bottom-age players might have implanted in their own minds the belief that they truly belong among the elite teenage footballers in the state.
The Jets’ 71-point loss to Oakleigh Chargers at Burbank Oval on Saturday was viewed as another learning curve, albeit a steep one.
They were faced with the daunting prospect of taking on one of the strongest regions – a grand finalist in three out of the past four seasons and premier in two of the past three years – and it didn’t end prettily.
For patches, the Jets would not be bullied though they let themselves down late in the game, allowing the margin to blow out.
“You’re playing against good opposition and you’re getting game time into players who haven’t played a lot of TAC footy, who’ve got to understand the jump up in terms of level,” Baker said.
“We had a number of players who have played only three games and it’s a really good grounding for them.”
Judah Dundon is one of the reasons why the mood remains upbeat at the Jets.
In just his third game for the Jets, the running half-back was named best for his side after collecting more than 30 possessions and keeping the dangerous Dan Houston in check.
“That’s a huge win for him, and the confidence he will get out of that will be really good,” Baker said.
Matthew Knezevic is another bottom-ager from Werribee Districts quickly adjusting to life in the TAC Cup.
Daniel Foley finally shrugged off his injury-hit start to the season with a superb game. Foley is a natural at the coal face and is working hard at adding a second layer to his game.
“He’s a strong body and his capacity to influence on the contest on the inside was there,” Baker said.
“He just had to work on other areas of his game … win the uncontested footy, the running patterns and the way he spreads out of stoppages and we’ve been working hard with him on that. He was very good in that area.”
Jackson Volpato was also influential in the midfield. Volpato rose to prominence last season when he burst to the top of the Morrish Medal leaderboard after an early purple patch.
He is showing no signs of second-year blues as the Jets’ most consistent player to date.
“He’s had a lot of the footy over the first few games but I thought this was his best defensive game,” Baker said. “He’s been really consistent, hard at the footy, hard at the man.”
The Jets have two weeks to lick their wounds, with the country sides playing this weekend and a Vic Metro trial match a week later.
The break should be enough time for top-liners Lachlan Hickey (knee), Mitch Norton (ankle) and Brayden Monk (corked thigh) to recover from injuries and return to the line-up for the-round five meeting with NSW-ACT Rams on April 25.
