Calder Cannons held off a determined Western Jets to enter the TAC Cup finals on a winning note.
It was a hard-fought slog at Highgate Reserve, both teams having to contend with a strong wind and, at times, rain.
In a game where little separated either side, one team would kick a couple of goals in a row before the other responded.
Scores were level in the dying minutes before a point by best-on-ground Ben Ronke put the Cannons in front.
They were then able to find Jean-Luc Velissaris free and his conversion, and third goal, was the final major in the Cannons’ winning scoreline: 10.10 (70)-9.9 (63).
Cannons coach Andrew Johnston said it was pleasing to see how his side responded to the Jets’ attacks.
“At the end of the day, it’s about effort, not whether you’ve got the talent; it’s about fighting it out, which our blokes did in the end,” he said. “In those conditions it’s always going to be a bit of a slog. So for our boys to dig in, especially when [the Jets] got their last goal to draw level, then get away with a win was pleasing.”
The Cannons struggled early, being unable to get a clean ball into their forward line.
Once they found time and space, they were rewarded, especially late in the match.
“After the first half we spoke about not being clean with our ball use. If you’re clean and having some good contested ball, it gives you a chance to get the ball forward,” Johnston said.
“We needed to be cleaner. I put the question to them at half-time about what they thought contested ball was. I think we were better in the second half.”
Jack Hannett, Jacob Bygate and Lachlan Brown all debuted for the club.
The Cannons have this week off, before facing Oakleigh Chargers in an elimination final.
After sharing the captaincy all season, Jaidyn Owen will lead the side during the finals campaign.
Johnston says the team will likely get back Mitchell Lewis, Aidan Tilley and Liam Middleton for the finals, having missed Saturday’s win due to school football commitments.
“We’ve earned the right to be in the finals. How far we go, only time will tell.
“To at least get there and expose the 17-year-olds to the experience … it will be invaluable.”
