Western Jets are ruing “the one that got away” in a six-point loss to Northern Knights in the TAC Cup at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday.
Jets coach Torin Baker was disappointed with his team’s lack of composure when kicking with the wind in the final quarter.
Trailing by 16 points at three-quarter time, the Jets had a big opportunity for a come-from-behind win as they had a howling wind at their back, but they could only manage 1.4 as they produced an error-riddled term that cost them the game.
“The major aspect was probably our decision making and skill execution in the last quarter,” Baker said. “The wind really got strong in that last quarter, but there was an attacking side of the ground to use and we kicked to the dead side a bit.
“You had to play smart and we didn’t play as smart as what we would’ve liked.”
It was a costly loss for the Jets as it ended their chances of a top-four finish.
The Jets will still play finals, but it will be sudden death all the way.
Despite the loss, Jets midfielder Connor Thar showed once again why he should be closely looked at by the AFL recruiters.
With Xavier O’Halloran on school football duty with St Bernard’s College, Thar took over the captaincy and led from the front.
“It was another excellent performance in what has been a couple of months of real brilliance for us,” Baker said. “I have great trust in his performance each week.
“He’s got that good short space speed, rarely gets tackled and is just a good decision maker.
“He’s a player that gives himself every chance every week by the way he turns up to play and train.”
A pair of Keilor products – Mitchell Hearne and bottom-ager Darcy Cassar – had impressive performances.
Hearne was rated the Jets’ best defender on the day for his work in the one-on-one situations and rebound out of defence.
Cassar was able to impact in multiple roles from half-forward to midfield and wing.
The Jets will round out their home-and-away season with a trip to Bendigo Pioneers on Sunday.
