By Tara Murray
Greenvale finally put it together to produce its best performance of the Essendon District Football League premier division season, upsetting Deer Park.
It hasn’t been the season the Jets had been after having made the semi finals last season, but there were some positives shown on Saturday.
The Jets were able to put it together for four quarters as they beat the Lions, 14.5 (89)-9.12 (66).
Jets coach Darren Bewick said it was their best performance of the year.
“We’ve been building into it,” he said. “It was good for them to get some reward for what they have been doing.
“I think they all brought into what we were trying to do. We had a good week on the track and spoke about a few different things that we had let slip over in a period of time.
“Just what we should be doing off the field and our training performance and I thought the week leading into it was really good and got the reward on the Saturday, so really pleased.”
Bewick said they were able to play the football that they wanted to, while restricting a few key areas for the Lions.
He said they were able to take their opportunities which they hadn’t done in previous weeks.
Leading by 23 points at three quarter time, Bewick said the message was simple for the playing group.
“Keep playing,” he said. “We went into our shells a little bit.
“We just want them to keep understanding that if they play the way that they did the first three quarters and they give themselves a chance.
“It wasn’t a matter of saving the game, it was a matter of keeping playing and winning the game.
“We kicked three goals each in the final quarter, happy enough with the four points.”
Ben Cavarra and Samuel Zumbo kicked three goals each for the Jets.
Cavarra, who has been on the Jets list for a few years, has played the past three games with the club.
Bewick said if Cavarra played the way he did on Saturday, he would be back playing in the Victorian Football League soon enough.
“He has been terrific,” Bewick said. “I’ve known him since he was 15 years old coaching him at Eastern Ranges.
“I knew what he would be able to do in terms of give to the club, help out the younger players which he’s been able to do that for a short space of time.”
“He has been terrific and we would be more than happy if he’s not ready to go up to VFL yet.”
A couple of Jets youngsters in Reuben Rode and Kieran Gallagher were named the best in the win.
The win was the Jets third of the season but the side remains in ninth spot.
Bewick said they were still focused on what they could achieve this year.
“We want to just make sure we compete all the time,” he said. “Make sure we play to our full potential and make sure that the season does not turn into a long slog for us and it won’t, judging by yesterday’s [Saturday’s] performance from what I saw.
“The players are fairly committed to finish the year off strong and you never know,
“We’re only two or three games out and we know if we can play at our best and get some players back, you never know.
“We’ll keep having a crack, Worst case scenario we’re setting up for a good 2026.”
