And so it begins…. After a brief change of venue for the second match on Sunday’s program, the stage was set for the continued rivalry between the north and south foes in a replay of the 2008 SCAFL Grand Final. An inspired performance from the entire OC Jets squad saw them take out the round 1 clash by 56 points.With limited preparation and a number of new faces added to the squad, the Jets were faced with the arduous task of taking on the perpetual powerhouse the Beachside Sharks.
With a solid game plan in place and all the assignments set, all that was left for the Jets was the first siren to sound. The game was played at a high intensity and it was clear from early on that the side which could settle first would take command on the scoreboard. The first quarter played out like most would expect, with much of the ball contested between the two forward regions. Beachside appeared to have control of it in the early part, kicking the first goal of the game and looking much more balanced throughout the entire first term, thus resulting in them taking a 4 point lead into the first break.
However, with the team beginning to gel as the minutes ticked on, it didn’t take long for the Jets to find their feet. Midway through the second term the Jets took command of the game through some great on-ball work from some of the new faces in the middle along with some great rebounding from defense. The ruck combination of Andrew and Sean and the center work by Ben and Kelly led to the game being broken open and the Jets taking an 18 point lead into the halftime break.
A significant factor in the Jets getting on top early in the game was the job that Jets captain, Qemal Shaholli, did on the dangerous Sharks midfielder, Simon Sweeney. Q was given the difficult assignment of covering Simon and did so perfectly, limiting Simon’s influence dramatically while racking up important possessions himself. A terrific performance from Q in his first game as captain.
The third term saw Beachside come out strong and apply pressure to try and take back the game, however playing in his new colors and shaking of some significant bumps, Bradels stepped up and rose to the challenge. He, along with some stellar defensive work by Seb, Robbo, Dave and KB saw the Jets not only hold off Beachside, but add to their already impressive lead. Through a solid team effort, the Jets had extended their lead to 38 points by the end of the all important third term.
In the final quarter it was much of the same with some great rotational work completed by the forwards adding to the already impressive effort by all on the field.
In the end, a workman like performance from the entire OC Jets squad had seen them take out an emphatic round one victory over the Beachside Sharks by 56 points.
OC Goal scorers: Brad Wetherall (3), Ben Vadasz (2), David Evans, Qemal Shaholli, Sean Nievart, Chris McNeil, Ian Kooloos, Mike Herstein, Mark Harrison.
Umpires votes: Vadasz, Nelson (Kelly), Lindley.
Sharks - Q1: 1.2 Q2: 2.0 Q3: 1.1 Q4: 0.3 Total: 4.6.30
Jets - Q1: 0.4 Q2: 5.4 Q3: 4.3 Q4: 3.3 Total: 12.14.86
