THERE were times on Saturday when the Western Jets were vulnerable.
They might have started with a scintillating six-goals-to-one opening term against the Northern Knights in the TAC Cup at Visy Park on Saturday, but their stranglehold loosened as the game wore on.
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The Jets managed to hold on for a 15-point win, but coach Torin Baker conceded his side had terms dictated to them by the Knights for lengthy periods in this crucial bout between two finals hunting sides.
“It was good that we were able to get off to a great start,” he told the Weekly.
“Credit to Northern, they really changed the way the game was being played and tactically didn’t allow us to do what we were trying to do.
‘‘They worked their way back into the contest and ensured our defenders weren’t able to drop off their opponents at any stage.
“At the same time, they really crowded our forward line in the second quarter and our guys struggled finding a target inside 50.”
As with all good sides, the Jets were able to find a way when challenged.
They isolated key forwards Harrison King and Caleb Sullivan in dangerous one-on-one contests to good effect.
And they found run and carry from Liam Duggan off half-back and through the middle.
Jake Greiser got his hands dirty in the clinches, while David Iaccarino wore down his opposite number with tireless run.
The pendulum swung back into the favour of the Jets in the third and they were able to keep the Knights at arm’s length on the scoreboard.
“We were able to right the wrongs from the second quarter,” Baker said.
There were few more important players on the field than Lachlan Hickey.
The 17-year-old provides an X-factor for the Jets in that he can be used in varying roles.
“He’s such a versatile player,” Baker said.
“We’ve played him at different stages on a wing, down back and up forward, and he meets every challenge.”
Hickey had one of his best games as a half-forward.
The Melton Bloods product has an exciting mix of speed and endurance, making him a tough match up. The Knights’ defence had no answer, allowing Hickey too much latitude and he hurt them with four goals.
“The real strength of his game is that he’s got great endurance but also really good speed,” Baker said.
“He wins his own contested footy and he’s strong in the contest, so he’s a very difficult player to match up on.”
The Jets handed debuts to Hayden Bray and Joey Blake.
They were delighted to see Ajdin Elkasovic make a successful return from injury.
“He had some complications with his broken wrist so it’s been a late start for him,’’ Baker said.
“He played his first game and got through it well.”
The Jets will host Geelong Falcons at Burbank Oval in Williamstown on Saturday in their toughest assignment to date.
The Falcons’ only loss of the season came on Saturday, but they were severely undermanned with a number of their stars on Vic Country duty.
“The Falcons have been out- standing this year and are the team to beat,” Baker said.
