IT WAS only a matter of time before the Jets put together a complete performance for a big win.
The Sunshine Coast Falcons were the victims yesterday as the Jets won their round four match 36-10 at Kawana Waters.
Jets co-coach Ben Walker had said the signs were good with how quickly the Jets were piling points on opposing teams in the opening three rounds of the Intrust Super Cup.
The only problem was they had a tendency to leak points in clumps as well.
But the holes were plugged yesterday as Marmin Barba’s hat-trick inspired his team to a convincing win.
Barba joined the Jets last year as a Brisbane Broncos dual signing.
This year he is signed to just the Jets and has recently moved into a home at Springfield.
“I’m an Ippy local now,” he said.
Barba works as a carpentry tradie’s assistant as he looks to rebuild his NRL dream.
He could have no better place to do it than on the wing for the Jets, where try scoring opportunities present themselves with pleasing regularity.
“With the Jets my focus is just on playing good footy,” the 24-year-old said. “I still hope to play NRL one day.”
Two of Barba’s tries came form close range and one from distance, with the Jets opening up in the second half after leading 12-4 at the break.
“The boys came out and started playing from the get-go,” Barba said.
“We sat down during the week and talked about what needed to be done.
“The focus was on d (defence) and slowing their ruck down.
“It worked for us today.”
The Jets succeeded, with Rod Griffin dominant in the middle and pushing Barba for man-of-the-match honours.
With the ball, the Jets’ constant ball movement and angled running eventually proved too much for the winless Falcons.
Barba paid credit to the Jets forward pack, which made his work that much easier.
“Our big boys matched up against their big boys, like big (former State of Origin player) Tom Learoyd-Lahrs,” Barba said.
“The handled him well.
“That’s why I got three tries.”
Barba had formed a lethal back three with Wes Conlon and Carlin Anderson, before Conlon’s season was ended prematurely by a knee injury last week.
But with Anderson at fullback and debutante Brandon McGrady on the other wing the trio prospered.
“Carlin did a really good job, ” Barba said.
“We missed Wes but have a few young blokes who can fill his boots, which is good. Brandon muscled up and ripped in straight away.”