NAB League scores: Paul Curtis best afield in Western Jets’ victory

A match-winning star turn from a small forward lifted the Jets to a memorable victory, while coach Robbie Chancellor talks up the club’s draft prospects.

Paul Curtis produced a match-winning display for Western Jets. Picture: Stuart Milligan

A devastating burst from Paul Curtis lifted Western Jets to a stirring 15-point NAB League victory on Saturday.

Curtis’ third-quarter star turn yielded four goals in 15 minutes as the Jets recovered from a 14-point halftime deficit to score an 11.12 (78) to 9.9 (63) triumph over Sandringham Dragons away from home.

The Keilor product had nine shots at goal among 14 disposals and five marks in a best-afield display.

“It was pretty special. He’s certainly got that X-factor and the ability to take a game away from a team in 10 minutes, and he did that on the weekend,” Jets coach Robbie Chancellor said.

“His contest work and ability to finish in front of goal is just really impressive, and it probably ended up being the difference in the game.”

Western Jets coach Robbie Chancellor calls the shots. Picture: Stuart Milligan

The 178cm livewire is enjoying a productive season in the elite under-age competition, booting nine goals from four appearances.

“You can feel like you don’t see him and he’s not in the game, and all of a sudden he’ll just do something special,” Chancellor said of Curtis.

“The challenge for him is just to create a bit more consistency around what he’s capable of doing and putting in four-quarter performances, not just little bursts.

“That’s something he’s working on, but it was certainly an impressive display (on Saturday).”

Chancellor also heaped praise on his midfield after the Jets were restricted to just two goals in the first half.

Liam Conway (26 possessions), Harrison White (19), Massimo D’Ambrosio (18) and Nash Reynolds (14) were all busy as their team took control of the contest.

“I think we won five or six centre bounces in a row (to start the second half),” Chancellor said.

“Conway, White, Reynolds and D’Ambrosio had a really good day around the ball and we were able to get field position on the back of their work and Paul was on the end of it.

“I thought the mids really set the tone for the day and created the opportunities for us.”

Conway, White and defender Cody Raak are among the Jets’ leading draft prospects this year.

Raak was prominent with 16 touches and eight rebound 50s against the Dragons and has nominated for next month’s AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft, along with Conway. Players have until May 25 to nominate.

Cody Raak impressed again for Western Jets. Picture: Stuart Milligan

“Those boys have been excellent this year, and credit to the work they’ve put in,” Chancellor said.

“All of them did pre-seasons at VFL clubs and it’s showed, and it’s set them up well to play consistent footy. That’s the most pleasing thing for young players, that they’re able to back it up week in, week out and play really strong, tough consistent footy.

“Those three have done it, and I reckon a couple of them might be in the mix for the mid-season stuff, or their form should have them in the conversations. They’re going really well.

“A lot of work for them to be the finished products, but they’re certainly progressing in the right direction.”

The Jets’ win improved their record to 2-2 and marked a strong return from the four-week competition-wide break.

Chancellor described facing the Dragons away as “one of the more daunting tasks in the NAB League”

“The good thing for us about the four-week recess is we got a good block of training and education in and we worked on a few things,” he said.

“From a coaching point of view, the most pleasing part was everything we worked on, we saw improvement in.

“While it was probably a bit of an upset in the eyes of a lot of people, we were confident of going there and getting a good result if we played four quarters of good footy.”

The Jets will next tackle Bendigo Pioneers in Melton next Sunday.