WESTERN Jets cruised to an 11-goal victory in Saturday's TAC Cup under-18s football match against the Bendigo Bank Pioneers at Epsom-Huntly Reserve.
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After an evenly-fought opening term, Western took control in the second.
The Jets continually pumped the ball into attack and scored 5.2 to 1.1.
Faced with a 31-point deficit at the start of the third quarter, Bendigo lifted its run and intensity.
The Pioneers went inside forward 50 on 15 occasions in the third but added 1.2 to 2.3.
Led by the play of Liam Duggan, Dillon Viojo, Brayden Monk and Billy Myers, the Jets added 5.4 to a goal in the final term.
At the final siren, Western led 14.10 (94) to 4.4 (28).
Western's attack was led by Mitchell Norton, four goals, while Jayden Laverde and Tylar Vujanic added two each.
The Pioneers goalkickers were Sandhurst's Billy Evans and Strathfieldsaye Storm's Harry Conway on two apiece.
Pioneers' coach David Newett said the second quarter blitz put the Bendigo line-up under pressure.
"The Jets started the match really well, but we worked hard to get back into the contest and be just a goal down at quarter-time.
"The second quarter really cost us. Western lifted its intensity at the contest and we battled to stop their run through midfield and up forward," Newett said.
"Our play in the third quarter was a lot better than the second.
"We went inside forward 50m at least 15 times, but just could not score enough goals."
The Pioneers options for tall marking targets were hamstrung after Strathfieldsaye's Danny Jones was concussed in the first quarter and took no further part in the game.
"Jordan Mangan tried really hard up forward, but was outnumbered a lot of times," Newett said of the efforts by the Kyneton teenager.
Echuca's Mitch Hore and Luke Coates from Walpeup-Underbool played their first TAC Cup matches and played well.
The Pioneers' best against the Jets were Strathfieldsaye's Tommy Cole in midfield, Sandhurst's Billy Evans in midfield, Maryborough's Bailey Edwards, Kyabram's Liam Barrett, Lake Boga's Mat PIckering, Kyneton's Daniel Davie and South Mildura's Josh Ryan in defence.
There is a general bye in the TAC Cup season this weekend.
Victoria Country plays Victoria Metro in the NAB-backed national under-18 championships match at Carlton's Visy Park on Sunday, May 18 from 1pm. Pioneers' captain Jake Maher from Mallee Eagles, Jaden McGrath from Kerang, and Sandhurst's Billy Evans are in contention for Victoria Country's squad.
The Pioneers resume their TAC Cup campaign on May 24 against Calder Cannons at Craigieburn.
