By Tara Murray
A strong defensive last quarter performance propelled the Northern Knights to an upset win over the Western Jets in the TAC Cup on Sunday.
After a couple of poor last quarters in the previous two games, the Knights were switched on against the Jets.
While the Knights led by 16 points at three-quarter time in windy conditions, the Jets were kicking with the wind in the last quarter.
There had been 13 goals kicked to that end in the first three quarters.
The Knights, though, turned the screws defensively to keep the Jets to a single goal for the term to hang on for a 9.6 (60)-8.6 (54) win.
Knights coach Justin Wenke said they played some good football for three quarters, including the fourth.
“We did a pretty good job in the last,” he said.
“We kept them to 1.4 and were able to win. We had to defend a lot.
“The last two games against the top two sides, we just fell short. We deserved to get the win.”
Wenke said two of their 19-year-old players were the stand-outs.
Mark Baker played his first game with the Knights since April and went forward and had an impact.
Joel Naylor kicked four goals, with Wenke saying it was his best game for the year.
Ryan Sturgess and Adam Carafa were also important in the win.
The game marked the return of captain Braedyn Gillard after breaking his elbow playing school football earlier in the year.
Wenke said he did everything required of a captain.
“Braedyn hadn’t played for 10 weeks and he kicked a great goal,” he said.
“He had a high disposal level and he had a bit of adversity with a bit of an injury.
“But he only knows one way and that is to go hard.”
Wenke said Gillard’s strong fitness base had been the key to him returning and it was important for him to get back on the field to increase his chances of being drafted.
The Knights, eighth with six wins, will face the Murray Bushrangers this weekend in the final round of the season before an elimination final the week after.
The Knights look set to play the Greater Western Victorian Rebels in that final.
Wenke said they wanted to continue on the strong form they’ displayed in recent weeks.
“We’ve had a hard draw,” he said. “We played the top two teams in Dandenong and Gippsland and pushed them to under 20 points.
“We played the Jets, who were fifth.
“We always said we would get better in the back half of the year and the form shows us that.
“Hopefully, we’ll put in a good showing on the weekend.”
