Sunbury Jets is heading in the right direction, despite not making the Big V men’s division 1 finals.
The Jets have been inconsistent all year, and dropping a number of close games cost them any chance of making finals.
On Saturday night, the Jets finished the season with a 20-point loss, 83-63, to finals-bound Melton.
Speaking before the match, coach Grant Spencer said, despite not reaching finals, there was a lot to like about the club going forward.
“I had some high expectations. There was always going to be inconsistency, due to the number of players we changed from the season before.
“We’ve had seven to eight youth league boys play in the team and many of them will be in the senior team full-time next year.
“We had seven to eight games with single digit margins, so we are thereabouts. We have improved and won more matches than last year. We know we’re not that far away from being a serious contender.”
Spencer said he was impressed how players had responded after the club parted ways with import Javari Williams.
“We took the top team single digits, and had double overtime against Shepparton,” he said. “We are heading in the right direction.”
One player who has really stepped up in the last part of the season is Harrison Salm.
“If I’m coaching again next season, he is my number one priority to keep at the club.
“With Ben Jones overseas and the youth boys going back to playing just youth men, Harrison has got more court time,” Spencer said.
“I’ve been playing four guards as well. He’s been taking it by the scruff of the neck and playing the level he can.”
Spencer, who is out of contract, wants to stay on at the club.
“I want a side which is majority Sunbury guys, and an import to fill the gap. We’ve got talented players, like Jeremy Wragg, Nathan Baker and Billy Feben … if we want to move forward, we need a talented core, which I believe is there.”
The Jets women’s side finished its season with a win against Hawthorn and a loss against Camberwell.
It was a disappointing weekend for the youth men’s side, which bowed out of the finals in the first week. It lost to Camberwell 90-66.
