It was a rare chance for the Western Jets to leave the excuses at the front door.
The Jets had valid reasons why their talented team was sitting outside the TAC Cup top eight so deep into the campaign.
They had been hampered by Vic Metro commitments of their star players and the unavailability of private school-linked players making a run for the school football finals, so getting a full strength side out on the park was proving the hardest task of all.
The team they faced, Eastern Ranges, was in a similar predicament.
It entered the weekend with an identical 4-8 record to the Jets and had an even bigger Big V representation.
For the first time in a long time, both clubs had full lists and it was perfect timing with a top eight spot up for grabs.
The excuses were over, so who wanted it more?
Not the Jets, who served up their worst performance of the season in a 90-point loss at Rams Arena in Craigieburn.
Jets coach Torin Baker was understandably left feeling flat by the result.
Seven unanswered second quarter goals to Eastern Ranges and the game was over.
“They just dominated the contested ball and clearances and that was the game,” Baker said.
The finals could already be beyond the Jets. They are a game and percentage out of the top eight with a tough run home.
Baker is more concerned with searching for the next win, not sorting out plans for September.
“We realistically can’t be talking about finals at the moment,” he said. “It’s about getting the most improvement from individuals and then collectively.”
