By Tara Murray
Greenvale showed some positive signs in a solid first-up win against Pascoe Vale in the Essendon District Football League Premier Division.
While it wasn’t the prettiest game, with both sides running out of legs in the final quarter, the Jets put a stamp on the game after quarter-time.
Just one point separated the two teams at quarter-time, but the Jets kicked eight goals to five to win 11.12 (78)-8.7 (55).
Jets’ coach Paul Chapman said it was a nice way to start the season.
“Pascoe Vale were good on the day,” he said.
“We played some pretty good footy and found some areas to work on.
“The pressure Pascoe Vale put on us, made us go back into some bad habits.
“It’s good to see that now, so we can work on it. It was a very positive start.”
The Jets could easily have won by more, having missed some easy shots at goal.
Chapman said goalkicking is one area they would work on.
Jacob Thompson kicked four goals for the winners and set up a few others.
Ryan Townsend played a solid game, while ruckman Fabian Deluca set the game up early.
Chapman was also pleased with the performance of Tom Cleary in his first game for the club.
“He played at Williamstown last season and is a huge addition not just in the back line,” Chapman said.
“Having played footy at that level, he’s good at teaching guys as well.”
The Jets have been one of the quieter teams in the off season, with Cleary the only confirmed in.
They are still hoping to get 2017 Reynolds medallist Zac Keogh signed up, but are unsure whether he will get cleared from Maribyrnong Park.
Despite the lack of ins, Chapman said their depth had increased in the off season.
“Laurence King, Matt Stillman and David Sardo all played in the twos.
“There’s a battle for spots and guys have to earn their spots with the pressure from underneath pretty solid.
“The positive from a lot of injuries last season, was the young guys getting opportunities.
“They started to get that belief … they came back to pre-season thinking they are senior footballers and they are training that way too.”
Chapman said the focus over the next few weeks was to the work they established during the pre-season.
He said they were hopeful of also getting a better idea of what their best team looks like.
“We’re just trying to get the best team out there, playing the best football we can each week,” he said.
“We’re just focusing on us and it’ll take a few weeks to find out our best team.”
In division 1, Tullamarine accounted for Westmeadows, while Roxburgh Park fell short against West Coburg.
In division 2, it was big first-up loss for Jacana on Friday night, with Burnside Heights smashing them 27.9 (171)-12.11 (83).
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