Essendon father-son hopes Mason Fletcher and Josh Misiti feature in Calder Cannons’ win over Western Jets

It was family time in Calder Cannons’ NAB League Futures Round win over Western Jets with two sons of Essendon greats making an impression while a pair of brothers both got leather poisoning.

Mason Fletcher in action for Calder Cannons.

Calder Cannons’ 22-point win over Western Jets on Saturday was family affair.

As part of Futures Round, the Cannons played 13 bottom-age players in the 6.7 (43) to 2.9 (21) win at Highgate Reserve.

Josh Misiti, son of Essendon great Joe, made his NAB League debut as did Flynn Gentile (17 disposals), brother of top-age draft hope Ned.

Lachlan Gollant (six marks) and Sam Paea also made their under-18 debuts.

Mason Fletcher, son of another Bombers legend, Dustin, booted two goals in a match-winning cameo after moving forward after half-time.

Ned + Flynn = Gentile x2

The first set of Cannons brothers in the same side since 2017 🔶🔷 pic.twitter.com/7HIIT9Fccn

— Calder Cannons FC (@CalderCannonsFC) June 30, 2019

Winners against the arch rival 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/jqewEK7WJq

— Calder Cannons FC (@CalderCannonsFC) June 30, 2019

With Ross Smith on Vic Metro duties, Brett Gourley took over the magnets and after a scrappy first half was pleased with his team’s performance.

“A lot better conditions than Saturday, we were very fortunate, but still a pretty scrappy game of football,” he said.

“Only one goal scored in the first half — there were a lot of stoppages, very defensive game of footy — but it opened up in the second half.

“We kicked five goals straight in the second half and the boys worked well together.

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“Having 13 bottom-agers playing this week with Futures Round, it’s the first time a lot of those guys have played together.”

Neither team kicked a goal in the first quarter as the Cannons broke the deadlock in the second term to lead 1.7 (13) to 0.4 (4) at half-time.

However, Calder broke the shackles in the second half while restricting the Jets to just two goals.

Sam Ramsay was best on ground with 31 disposals and eight tackles while Curtis Brown, Harry Minton-Connell and Ned Gentile all collected more than 20 touches. Giacomo Thomas impressed off half-back.

Sam Ramsay in action for Calder Cannons. Picture: Martin Keep

Curtis Brown in action for Calder Cannons.

Gourley said promising midfielder Ramsay had responded well to missing out on the Vic Metro squad.

“We needed a bit of leg speed through the midfield and Sam was the perfect one to move in there,” he said.

“I said to him a little while ago ‘my job’s to make him the best player outside Metro’ and he’s been outstanding the last few weeks.”

The Cannons face a stiff test against Dandenong Stingrays this weekend but should be bolstered by the return of captain Brodie Newman from Metro duties.

Fellow Metro representatives Daniel Mott and Harry Jones are expected to miss the clash.

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