Tara Murray
It’s been a hectic few weeks for the Western Jets’ NAB League program.
With both the girls’ and boys’ teams in the midst of their seasons, the coaching staff have been busy getting everything ready for game time.
Both teams had a bye on the weekend, allowing coach Robbie Chancellor to sit back and have a look at things.
Chancellor admits it has been tough at times with both sides playing.
The girls’ side has just one match left for the season, coming up against the Bendigo Pioneers.
Chancellor said there had been some really promising signs from the group.
“We haven’t won as many games as we should have, but we’ve been competitive every week but one,” he said.
“As a team that hasn’t won many matches in previous years. What we wanted to achieve at the start of the year was the ability to say at three-quarter time that we are still in games and we’ve done that.
“Our last three games we lost by nine points, won by one and lost by 11 points.”
While the side will miss finals no matter the result in the final round, a number of players have stood out.
Charlotte Baskeran and Montana Ham have been two of the standouts in the competition. Ham played for Vic Metro in an under-19s match recently, while Baskeran was one of four Jets who were part of the under-17 side.
Caitlin Sargent, Trinity Skenderis, Stephanie Asciak and Jemima Woods have all had good seasons as well, putting themselves in line to test themselves at a higher level next year.
The boys’ season has just got underway, with the Jets splitting their first two matches.
Chancellor said they were thrilled with the first up win against the Calder Cannons, but let themselves down in round two.
“I don’t think we’ve beaten Calder for some time,” he said.
“It was a disappointing result against the Northern Knights. We were down in a few areas and we lost by nine points.
“You have to show up every week.”
Chancellor said their squad had a good mix this year. They had 13 players make their debuts in round one.
A number of players are involved in the under-17 champs and will get their opportunities in the second of half of the season.
Chancellor said some of the older boys had been the standards early on.
“We’ve played a lot of the older top aged boys so they can show their talents,” he said.
“The guys who have done pre-seasons at VFL clubs and higher are more ready to go than some of the others.
“Cody [Raak] was exceptional in round one. Billy Cootee was another along with Harrison White and Liam Conway.
“The younger guys with a couple of games under their belts should start catching up.”
