It was left to the lesser lights to power Western Jets to a crucial 33-point win over Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup at Warrawee Park on Saturday.
There was hardly a weak link despite the Jets having to make do without star quartet Brodie Romensky, Brock McGregor, Oscar Junker and Daniel Venables, who were part of Vic Metro’s stunning comeback victory over South Australia in the under-18 national championships in Adelaide on Sunday.
Jets coach Torin Baker was thrilled with his side’s ability to focus on the strengths of the players available and not fret over the big names missing.
“I thought it was our most even performance of the year,” he told Star Weekly.
“There were no real major lapses in the game, so from that point of view it was a real positive.
“On the scoreboard, we won all four quarters, even if it was just by a little bit each time.”
The result puts the Jets back in the finals mix.
They join three other sides with 4-6 records filling positions six to nine on the ladder.
One player who stood up in the big moments was crumbing forward Stephen Syme, who had a game-high three goals.
He is averaging better than a goal a game for the Jets this season, but is far from a one-trick player.
“He’s giving us both avenues,” Baker said. “Offensively he’s damaging and defensively he’s really good for us as well. He’s got real speed and puts on excellent pressure.”
If the Jets were disappointed about a player missing out on Vic Metro’s final cut, it was the non-selection of Judah Dundon.
Dundon has been fronting up for the Jets and continuing to produce the kind of football that has his club raving about his ability.
The midfielder was front and centre when the foundations of the Jets’ victory were laid and remained as prolific when the last coat of paint was being applied.
“He continually pumped the ball forward for us through the course of the day,” Baker said.
“His contested work was good and he hit the scoreboard well with two really good goals.”
Dundon was not working alone in the midfield.
Wilson Berry and Connor Griffiths were outstanding support acts, generating plenty of drive for the Jets.
Luke Hitch, a bottom-age player, showed an insatiable appetite for the contest in defence.
The Jets will face the struggling Gippsland Power on the road in Morwell on Saturday.
The Power has won just one game in 10, but Baker is not taking them lightly.
“In my time at the club, we haven’t won at Gippsland, so I’m certainly wary of the trip,” Baker said.
Meanwhile, the Western Jets Brad Johnson and development squad members Xavier O’Halloran, Owen King, Buku Khamis, Hamish Murphy, Stefan Radovanovic and Zak Butters have made the final cut for Vic Metro’s squad to travel to the Gold Coast for the under-16 national championships next month.
