Experienced stars Sam Jacobs and Eddie Betts have led a navy team to a come-from-behind victory in an intraclub match at Football Park on Saturday morning.

Jacobs booted a game-high three goals and was dominant in the ruck, while Betts was at his electrifying best to inspire a five-point win over a white team, 9.7 (61) to 8.8 (56).

Across a five-minute stretch in the fourth period, Betts provided a much-needed spark for his side. He took mark of the day over a gathering pack before springing to his feet and hitting Jacobs on the chest, which resulted in a goal.

Moments later, the three-time All Australian small forward drew the biggest cheer of the morning, dribbling home a trademark goal from deep in the forward pocket to highlight he has lost none of his class.

Betts’ goal was the sixth straight for the navy team, after the game seemed destined to be a non-contest early when the white team kicked the first six goals of the game to go into the opening break with a 35-point lead. 

White team midfielders Rory Sloane, Hugh Greenwood and Jordan Gallucci dominated the clearances early, providing silver service to a three-pronged tall forward line.

Josh Jenkins (two goals), Mitch McGovern (two goals) and Elliott Himmelberg (one) all impacted the scoreboard, but the white team failed to score a goal over the next three periods as the navy team’s midfield group started to stand up around the contest.

Matt Crouch found plenty of the football, while Curtly Hampton and Cam Ellis-Yolmen were both impressive as their team worked tirelessly to claw back the margin.

The navy team finally took the lead early in the final period through a Harry Dear goal. The tall forward had the opportunity to kick another just minutes later, but missed on the run from 15 metres out before the Sherrin rebounded down the other end to allow Matthew Signorello to level the scores at 55 apiece. 

Throughout the game, last year’s No. 12 draft pick Darcy Fogarty attacked the football without fear, showing strong hands and a desire to crash bodies.

With little time remaining, Fogarty crashed a pack on the lead before gathering the ball and firing off a handball to Richard Douglas. The composed veteran calmly slotted the goal from 40 metres out, to give the navy team a six-point lead. 

Himmelberg had an opportunity after the final siren to force a draw but missed a set shot to hand a narrow win to the navy team.

The intraclub match was played over five periods, with two 25-minute periods followed by three 15-minute periods. Brad Crouch was ruled out of the game with an abdominal strain, while recruit Bryce Gibbs did not play due to a back spasm.

WHITE             7.0       7.5       7.5       7.7       8.8 (56)
NAVY               1.1       2.3       4.5       7.6       9.7 (61)

GOALS
White: Jenkins 2, McGovern 2, Signorello 2; Atkins, Himmelberg
Navy: Jacobs 3; Murphy 2; Betts, Dear, Douglas, Jarman