GEELONG Falcons tough start to the season has continued with a 28-point loss to the Western Jets at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval, 7.8 (50) to 2.10 (22).
The second quarter proved the difference, with the Jets kicking 4.2 to 0.1 to turn a two-point lead into a 27-point advantage at half time.
“It was a pretty disappointing result,” coach Luke Daffy said of his team’s fifth loss from seven games. “We got outworked, particularly in the first half.
“The Western Jets were strong around the contest, but then they’d slingshot from half-back, and in transition, we were pretty poor to locate, and defensively we weren’t great in that first half.”
NAB LEAGUE GIRLS: FALCONS SHOT DOWN BY CANNONS
Daffy says the Falcons’ inability to win the ball around the contest also proved costly.
“That really hurt us,” he said. “We got beaten around the contest and at stoppages, but we still managed to intercept at times.
“We just weren’t getting deep enough entries to be able to get shots at goal from positions we’d like to score from, but, more importantly, be able to defend it.
“The ball tended to go to 40-60 (metres from goal) and come back out pretty quickly, and it was just hard for us to defend.”
Keidan Rayner, who spent more time in the midfield, defender Sam Bourke, Lachie Smith and Harry Stubbings all battles hard for the Falcons, who are the last-placed of the traditional NAB League teams.
Adding further salt to the wound was a trio of injuries, with Will Batson (dislocated shoulder), Lachie Peck (concussion) and Ryan Bell (knee) failing to see out the contest.
Medical staff were able to put Batson’s shoulder back into place. However, the full extent of the damage is still to be determined.
The Falcons will enjoy a weekend off before facing the Eastern Ranges at Box Hill City Oval on June 2.
Twitter: @tom_king79
WESTERN JETS 1.4, 5.6, 7.6, 7.8 (50)
GEELONG FALCONS 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 2.10 (22)
Goals: Western Jets: A. Clarke 2, A. Manton 2, J. Honey, B. Ryan, S. Clifford
Geelong Falcons: C. Brauer, L. Smith
Best: Western Jets: L. Rocci, W. Kennedy, D. Andrews, K. Crimmins, D. Cassar, J. Horo
Geelong Falcons: K. Rayner, S. Bourke, L. Smith, H. Stubbings, J. Clark, W. Kilpatrick
