Round 2 of the 2012 TAC Cup season saw the Loy Yang B Gippsland Power take on the highly rated Calder Cannons at their home ground in Cragieburn. The Power went into the game without key defenders Kaine Allen and James Huts who were rested after suffering mild concussion in the club’s round 1 match. Captain Tim Membrey was still overseas with the AIS squad so Darcy Irwin and Eddie Morris came into the side for the Calder game.
The early part of the game was tight as both sides struggled to get their game going due to the pressure being applied in contests all over the ground. Some good work by Simon Deery, Nick Graham and Josh Scott resulted in the opening goal to Matt Northe but Calder replied quickly to level the scores. Some vision and skill from Nate Paredes and Scott allowed Tom Muir in for the Power’s second then Josh Scott goaled after another strong mark up forward.
By the first change the Power led by fourteen points but could have been further ahead with some more effective use of the ball. Key Forward Simon Deery was injured when he crashed into the goal post and this put pressure on Scott to step up into the helm across half-forward. The boys had used far too many handballs to set up play and the resultant turnovers had allowed the Cannons to stop the Power dominating on the score board.
The whole pattern of the game changed in the second term as the Cannons took control of the centre bounces and easily got the ball up forward. They had three unanswered goals on the board before better work form Nick Graham and Matt Northe resulted in a timely goal to Jack Johnstone. Some poor defensive decisions and a lack of accountability in ruck duels saw the Cannons kick another three goals and they went into the long break fifteen points up and seemingly in control.
Nick Stevens challenged the Power to lift their work rates and play one on one football during the long break and they came out with a more positive approach. Despite being off target early in the term, they were back in charge and after some scrambling play Ben Kearns finally hit the target. Not to be outdone the Cannons scored two unanswered majors and seemingly were on top as the Power kept missing goals after working hard to get chances to score.
Jack Leslie and Aaron Heppell combined to allow Scott to kick a key goal for the Power and then Drew McGrath went quick, long and direct to find Kearns who capitalised on a free kick. Another long and direct forward thrust saw Muir snap truly and the Power were back on track. From the resultant centre bounce Paredes and Tom Fusinato combined to set up Graham for the last goal of the term. The Power went into the last term ten points up but should have led by much further with more accurate finishing. Their five goals from thirteen scoring shots gave the Cannons a realistic chance to get back in the game.
The last term opened well for the Power but once again they were not finishing their work off. In stark contrast the Cannons scored two goals from rare forward entries and put the pressure right back on the Power. Instead of conceding, the Power exploited their fitness superiority over Calder and kept the ball inside their half but couldn’t score goals to finish the game off. Nate Paredes found Muir who scored his third for the game and the Power upped their work rates to hold on and record a narrow one point victory.
It was a strange result considering the pattern of general play with the Power going inside forward fifty twice as many times as the Cannons but wasting far too many of their scoring chances with sloppy finishing and poor decision making. Realistically they should have won by at least five goals based on their control of much of the play. Nick Stevens was happy with the result but has plenty of areas for improvement to address if the boys are to realise their outstanding potential.
Final scores Loy Yang B Gippsland Power 10 goals 18 behinds 78 points defeated Calder Cannons 11 goals 11 behinds 77 points. Goal kickers, Tom Muir 3, Ben Kearns and Josh Scott 2, Matt Northe, Nick Graham and Jack Johnstone 1. Nick Graham likes playing at Highgate arena and dominated the game with over 30 possessions, ten marks and, critically, 10 tackles in a complete performance. He worked tirelessly to win the ball but also applied consistent and highly effective pressure on the opposition when they attempted to get the ball out of the Power forward line.
Aaron Heppell lifted his work rate in his second game and showed just what he is capable of with a fine effort as a clever forward. He not only won many possessions and used the ball with poise and skill but, importantly, worked hard to apply consistent pressure on defenders as they attempted to stop the Power. Jack Johnstone has led the side very well in Tim Membrey’s absence and once again set the tone for the team with his positive work rate and ability to win important possessions and then use the ball with precision and purpose. His leadership by example has been critical in both wins so far this season.
Up forward Matt Northe was a key player for the team with his ability to win the tough contests and then to use the ball with precision. He read the play consistently well and did the one-percent things to set up others with easier disposals. Half back Anthony Tipunwuti has worked incredibly hard in the pre-season to get fit and further enhance his already high skill levels. Once again he easily accounted for opponents but crucially was a key playmaker for the Power with his run and long and direct use of the ball.
Back man James Davidson had to lift his work rate with Allen and Huts out and rose manfully to the challenges involved. He gave away height to opponents but was rarely beaten one on one with his disciplined defence and willingness to put his body on the line. Key forward Josh Scott started well but went up another cog when Simon Deery went off early in the game. His strong marking in contested issues was critical for the team and he also set up others with clever and unselfish play. Tom Muir started in defence but went forward early in the game to help balance the side. He too took many timely marks as well as linking up with others to create and finish off scoring opportunities.
The Power now travels to Bendigo to take on the Pioneers at the historic Queen Elizabeth oval. With James Huts and Kaine Allen looking to be available and Tim Membrey also being back on home soil, the team could be at its strongest for the 2012 season. The only negative possibility is the injury to gun forward Simon Deery but the boys seem able to get the ball into their attacking areas but just need to up their efficiency when finishing off their hard-won scoring opportunities.
Nick Stevens will be very keen to improve the boy’s efficiency up forward as he works with them to solidify the game plan that he believes will stand them in good stead in the 2012 TAC Cup season. They seem to be adjusting very quickly to his ideas and are starting to develop the sort of game that will make them a genuine threat to other sides in 2012. Their work rate so far has been exceptional and they play a genuinely hard brand of football. He knows that they are ready for the challenges involved and will be setting increasingly hard goals for them as the season progresses.
Last Modified on 05/07/2012 21:54
