By Lance Jenkinson
The Western Jets remain willing learners despite a tough start to the NAB League girls season.
The Jets lost a third straight game to start the season in a 25-point defeat to the Northern Knights at RAMS Arena on Saturday.
Jets coach Zac Read has seen enough improvement in his team from week to week and an appetite from players to improve to be confident that positive results are just around the corner.
“Each week they’ve turned up on Tuesday ready to improve and ready to go again,” Read said.
“We’re seeing that improvement, we took another step forward this week and we’re tracking upwards.”
Poor conversion is hurting the Western Jets.
Their return from three matches is 4.13 – a conversion rate of a tick over 30 per cent.
They kicked just 1.6 from seven scoring shots against the Knights.
Read is not laying the blame solely at his forwards, but also those who have been delivering into the forward 50 and forcing the forwards into pressure shots.
He is confident when the transition from the midfield to attack is cleaner, the Jets will start to produce bigger scores.
“We’re probably not using it overly well going forward,” Read said.
“The entries haven’t been as good as we would have liked, so we haven’t been able to get those marks inside 50.
“A lot of our scores have been from general play, which makes it hard to convert.”
What cannot be faulted is the Western Jets endeavour in the midfield.
Ruby Tripodi and Emma Quinn have worked tirelessly to move the ball forward for the Jets.
“They did a great job against the Knights, who have some players from the academy program,” Read said.
“They matched it with them on the inside.”
Taylah Kolevski battled hard as an under-sized ruck and served up some impressive taps for the onballers to feast on.
Other Jets who are shining early in the season are midfielder-forward Isabella Grant, medium forward Nikita Wright, who kicked the Jets only goal against the Knights, and half-back/onballer Elisabeth Georgostathis.
“Liz leads not just on field, but off field as well, setting standards and bringing the girls together,” Read said.
“She’s been well supported by Cleo Saxon-Jones, who is one of our academy girls and is vice captain as well.”
Western Jets will be looking for their first win when they face Eastern Ranges at RAMS Arena on Saturday.
MORE NAB LEAGUE NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/jets-settle-for-a-come-from-behind-win/
