TAC Cup 2018: Calder Cannons romp to impressive win over Western Jets with second-half surge

EIGHT successive second-half goals lifted Calder Cannons to a 56-point victory over Western Jets.

EIGHT successive second-half goals lifted Calder Cannons to a 56-point victory over Western Jets.

The Round 11 TAC Cup fixture was still in the balance when Josh Honey brought the Jets within seven points during the third quarter at Highgate Reserve.

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But it was one-way traffic from that point as big man Harrison Jones’ major sparked a Calder onslaught.

Will Jury, Mohammed Abou-Eid and Tye Browning drilled goals before three-quarter-time, propelling their side 24 points clear with a quarter to play.

Coming home with a strong, albeit tricky to master wind, the Jets still had hope despite the deficit they were facing.

Mitch Podhajski snaps around the body during Calder Cannons’ win over Western Jets.

That was until Jacob Martin and Mitch Podhajski booted goals within 90 seconds of each other to stretch the margin to 38 points and put Calder on the path to its fifth win of the season to cement its top-eight spot.

Best afield for VFL club Coburg in recent weeks, Cannons co-captain Podhajski was brilliant in testing conditions.

His marking and strength in the clinches were standout features in a game where contested ball was at a premium.

Playing his third match of the season, Jones was a pillar of strength across halfback and showed his versatility by pushing forward and hurting the Jets.

Nathan Croft has his short stretched but still takes possession for Calder.

Best afield against Eastern Ranges on June 23, Daniel Mott continued his impressive run of form to be named Calder’s top performer.

Browning, Jake Riccardi and Campbell Barton were other players who figured prominently.

Without several of their Vic Metro stars, the Jets were well served by Jack Watkins, Connor Thar and Spencer Johnson.

Calder is seventh on the ladder, six points outside the top four and a guaranteed finals berth.

The Jets retained fourth despite the heavy loss and next travel to Morwell to face Gippsland Power on July 22.

The Cannons’ next fixture is on Saturday against Oakleigh Chargers.