Jets’ new women’s program has made huge strides in just six months – and tonight that progress will be measured against the NPLW’s ‘benchmark’.
Visitors Lions travel to Wolter Park this evening on top of the table after finishing 2020 as runner-up in the regular season and Grand Final winners.
Six months ago, they were the first opponents our new Jets' squad faced in a private pre-season friendly - and won comfortably.
But much has changed since then. Jets’ senior players have blended and gelled. Though still far from the finished product, they are just five points behind Lions in second place.
Our Under 23s, also a completely new squad of young players under coach Gary Ward, have been equally impressive and are level with Lions on 24 points. Only the QAS is above both.
“This (Lions) is the team to beat. They are the benchmark,” said Jets’ captain Jess Dillon on the Smash FM Sports Show this week, “they are so good at what they do and work well doing it.
“They have played together for two three seasons and brought players in here and there. What do really well is the basics.
“But I am really proud of what we have achieved and our aim is to beat them. Fingers crossed we do.”
Both sides have had one draw and then five successive wins in their last six games. The draw for each side was against Mitchelton.
Jets’ coach David Da Silva said this match would not define the team's season, but he admitted on Smash FM: “We’d love a point (tonight) … especially three!
“We’re looking forward to testing ourselves. It’s our playing style that want we want to improve and are trying to embed a club philosophy. That’s going to take time.
“It’s about building trust that across the ladies and girls they will be put into the right environments in training to be challenged as an individual.”
Jets’ Under 23s face Lions at 6.15pm tonight, the Seniors follow at 8.15pm. Canteen and bar open.