WESTERN Jets ended their home-and-away campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating Greater Western Victoria (GWV) by 69 points at La Trobe University on Saturday. A fast start saw the home side kick six unanswered goals in the opening term, setting the tone for what was a dominant victory.

Leading Jets prospect Khaled El Souki secured the competition’s goalkicking award with three majors, finishing one ahead of Rebels forward Archie Elliott – who also bagged three goals. The pair were among six players to reach that mark across the two sides, four of them being Jets.

The result sees Western lock in second spot on the overall ladder, as well as in the Metro conference with a terrific 12-3 record. The Jets have won their last 11 games in an astonishing run. Meanwhile, GWV finished 10th overall and fourth in the Country conference, posting a 4-10-1 ledger.

We took note of the top performers from either side.

WESTERN JETS 6.2 | 9.5 | 14.8 | 18.10 (118)
GWV REBELS 0.0 | 2.3 | 3.4 | 7.7 (49)

GOALS:
Western Jets: K. El Souki 3, L. Hicks 3, J. Miller 3, K. Williams 3, N. McMenamin 2, H. Hanrahan, K. Hawli, A. Tippett, Z. Weis
GWV Rebels: A. Elliott 3, P. McKenna 3, T. Ough

BEST:
Western Jets: B. Wigmore, G. Barker,  K. Williams, L. Hicks, K. El Souki
GWV Rebels: E. Drever, A. Elliott, L. Petrie, J. Connolly, P. McKenna

WESTERN JETS:

#2 Khaled El Souki (Western Bulldogs NGA)
Small Forward/Midfielder | 175cm | 04/07/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 3 goals

Starting on-ball, the dynamic small forward had an immediate impact. El Souki effectively deployed bursts of speed to evade and separate himself from pursuing opponents. He manoeuvred around the forward 50 expertly, securing damaging positions for scoring opportunities and pinpointing teammates on his piercing left boot when necessary. He was gifted one of his three majors by Noah McMenamin to help take out the competition’s leading goalkicker award with 40 in total.

#7 Angus Tippett
Midfielder | 194cm | 02/12/2008

Stats: 28 disposals, 8 marks, 1 goal

The big-bodied on-baller delivered one of his most commanding performances of the season. Tippett marshalled the midfield to great effect. He threw his weight around at contests and blasted kicks from end to end. A standout moment of the game was his first-term goal in general play from almost on the 50-metre arc. 

 #10 Griffin Barker
Wing/Midfielder | 186cm | 13/08/2009

Stats: 30 disposals, 11 marks, 11 inside 50s

Barker started on the wing but played freely across the ground. The exciting bottom-ager gained plenty of meterage with ball in hand, bounding through the middle of the ground. He individually took more bounces on the run than the rest of the field combined and provided plenty of zip across the four quarters, not that his side was in desperate need of it. 

#17 Billy Wigmore
Defender | 188cm | 29/03/2008

Stats: 36 disposals, 16 marks, 5 tackles, 6 rebound 50s

Another absolutely dominant aerial performance from the hybrid backman. Wigmore led the game for disposals, mostly intercepts in the defensive 50. He played with supreme confidence and occasionally took aggressive options by foot. With the helping hand of James McDaid, the Jets’ defensive 50 was nearly impenetrable. 

#21 Kobe Williams
Forward/Midfielder | 185cm | 30/10/2007

Stats: 29 disposals, 12 marks, 5 inside 50s, 3 goals

Williams arguably couldn’t have started the game any better. He began at half-forward and quickly goaled from 45 out on the run for the first goal of the game, and a set shot from a similar distance followed moments later. He drifted across the ground and found the ball regularly, particularly across half-back.

GWV REBELS:

#4 Ethan Drever
Midfielder | 188cm | 10/07/2008

Stats: 27 disposals, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 7 inside 50s

The potential top-10 pick shouldered a great deal of responsibility in the midfield. Drever fought valiantly over the four quarters and showcased his now-established elite traits. His fast-twitch, lightning hands and ferocious physical pressure were desperately required at stoppages. 

#8 Toby Hellessey
Key Defender | 194cm | 01/02/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles 

Hellessey had his hands full managing the offensive threat of Jake Miller all game. After a stressful first section of the game, Hellessey fought his way back into the contest, spoiling a number of gilt-edged opportunities for his key forward counterpart. He was able to slip out of the defensive 50 periodically and save further scoreboard damage. 

#14 Archie Elliott
Forward | 182cm | 10/03/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 marks, 3 goals

Elliott was easily GWV’s best forward for the afternoon and has been all season. He finally got his side on the board early in the second quarter with a clutch set shot finish from about 45 meters out. He more than held his own one-on-one and continues to prove exceedingly difficult to beat on the lead. 

#21 Lachie Petrie
Defender/Wing | 179cm | 24/06/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 8 marks, 3 tackles

Another of the Rebels’ solid bottom-age contributors on the day, Petrie’s footy smarts came to the rescue on multiple occasions. The versatile small was one of his side’s most efficient users and tidiest ground ball players. As he has done regularly in recent weeks, he spent some time on the wing in the second half with GWV requiring his talent closer to the play.