By Tara Murray
The Northern Knights’ season has come to a heartbreaking end in the NAB League.
Facing the Western Jets in an elimination final, the Knights were in the game until the final siren.
But luck wasn’t on their side as they went down 12.5 (77)-11.3 (69) at Mars Stadium.
Knights coach Justin Wenke said they weren’t that far off coming away with the win.
“It wasn’t what we hoped for and we fought really hard,” he said.
“It wasn’t through a lack of trying – it was more the method that was lacking.
“We had a chance to win it with a minute and a half left with a contest down our end.
“If we kick the goal we win it. They ripped it out and went forward and kicked a goal.”
Wenke said it was a game of two halves, with a very open and high-scoring first half followed by a scrappy second half.
He said they probably didn’t make the most of the wind when they had it at their disposal.
“It was a wind-affected game,” he said. “We kicked six goals in the first quarter and it could have been seven or eight.
“We defended really well in the first half of the second quarter, before they scored five goals.
“As soon as it became a scrappy game, it suited them.
“We were leading by five points at three-quarter time, but we didn’t have enough scoreboard pressure.
“The boys tried really well.”
Not helping the Knights’ cause were injuries to key players.
Adam Carafa didn’t play after half-time due to a suspected broken rib, allowing the Jets to control the midfield.
Ryan Sturgess rolled an ankle late.
Josh D’Intinosante was the Knights’ best, kicking five goals on Morrish medallist Lucas Rocci.
Wenke said it was emotional in the rooms after the game.
“We had high hopes to at least go another week – the boys were really disappointed,” he said.
“The last three months overall, we won nine games and last games by eight, 10 and two points.
“We were in every game besides the blow-out against Bendigo and we turned that around last week.”
The loss ends the NAB League career for many of the Northern Knights’ players.
Wenke, who said he would coach on next season, said 70 per cent of the side on Saturday was made up of top-age players.
Six of those players will be involved in either the national or state combine.
