After a three week hiatus from the SCAFL competition, the Orange County Jets took the pitch against the LA Swans in a match that would determine second place on the SCAFL ladder. The Jets would be challenged however as they were without a bench for the first time all season but would recruit Shark Fredrick Schulin to provide the club with one sub for the game.

The Swans were in the same position as the Jets having to recruit at least three players from the Riverside team to field nine for the match. This, however, did not phase the Swans as they jumped on the Jets from the start kicking two quick goals while the Jets struggled to adjust out of the middle without their normal ruckmen, Kieron Mulcahy and Simon “Woody” Woodhouse. The insertion of Freddy into the middle approximately midway through the first quarter inserted life into lethargic and uninspired Jets and despite the slow start, the Jets managed to rally and kick three goals, two behinds to take a one-point lead at quarter time.

Coaches Chris McNeil (Macca) and KB Nelson got on the Jets at the 1st quarter break imploring them to use their voice, be more aggressive at the ball, and run to contests. The coaches pleads and the arrival of Woody into the center as the ruckman immediately changed the complexion of the game. The Jets started to control the ball out of the middle and Jets little big men Sebastian Aguiari (Seb) and RJ Meza began putting their head over the ball, winning the ball, and facilitating scoring opportunities into the forward line and in a few instanced kicking goals themselves. Kelly Nelson was inserted into the middle after starting the game at full forward and RJ, Kelly, Woody, and Ian Kooloos (Crash) began dominating possession out of the middle. Although the Jets had many scoring chances, their accuracy was lacking and second quarter saw them kick only three majors and six minors, still managing two-goal lead heading into the half.

The Jets middle continued their domination in the 3rd quarter, and the kicking accuracy improved with front line stalwarts Mark Harrison (Spider) and Macca leading the charge. The Jets kicked five goals for the quarter to three minors. Meanwhile the defense of Damien Mills (Damo), Ryan Lorseyedi (Ryno), Seb, and KB held the Swans to only one goal in what is typically referred to as the championship quarter. The Jets ended the quarter with a more than six-goal advantage.

Good teams finish the game properly, and the Jets not only assured that they would run out as victors, they did so in dominating fashion. The middle continued winning possession and they along with the forwards kicked six more majors in the fourth quarter, while the defense held the Swans to just three minors. The game was not without injury as Damo took and ball to the face that would force him to miss the remainder of the game. The Jets next take on the Riverside Raiders on May 10 in Riverside, in the second round of the newly established Jon Egan Cup commemorating the early years of a rivalry between the Inland Empire Eagles and the Orange County Bombers that saw some of the most fierce and physical Aussie Rules Football played in the States.

Orange County Jets vs. Los Angeles Swans

Orange County: Q1 – 3 goals, 2 behinds Q2 - 3 goals, 6 behinds Q3 – 5 goals, 3 behinds Q4 – 6 goals, 3 behinds Totals: 17.14 (116)

Goal Kickers: Mark Harrison (6), Chris McNeil (4), Sebastian Aguiari (3), Kelly Nelson (2), Simon Woodhouse, RJ Meza

Los Angeles: Q1 – 3 goals, 1 behind Q2 2 goals, 0 behinds Q3 – 1 goal, 0 behinds Q4 – 0 goals, 3 behinds Totals: 6.4 (40)

Goal Kickers: Corey Irwin (2), Grant William (2), Adam Hale, Matt Morgan