Loy Yang B Gippsland Power emerged from a danger a danger game against a competitive Northern Knights side with a strong victory that enabled them to maintain top spot on the TAC Cup ladder. Coach Nick Stevens was well aware of the need to respect his old team and stressed the fact that they had done well in most games despite only winning one of their matches going into this game.
Adding to the importance of focus for the Power was the fact that the Knights had some of the state players available while the Power, in stark contrast, were without five of their best contributors so far this season. Jack Johnstone had been rewarded for his top start to the of the 2012 season with a call up to the Casey Scorpions in the VFL. Adding to the pressure on the Power was the fact that Nick Graham, Jack Leslie, Josh Scott and Ben Kearns were part of the Vic Country state side that won their opening game in the National championships.
Coming into the side for the Power was Anthony Tipungwuti after his brilliant performance for the Northern Territory in their terrific win over Vic Metro up in Darwin. Alex Carr, Adam Wallace and Jayden Steers returned to the team after playing games earlier in the season while Jarryd Drew had won the chance to open his TAC Cup account after some solid football with his club Warragul.
In ideal conditions at Preston oval, Simon Deery went long and direct to allow Daniel Jackson to score a fine goal off the resulting pack. Nate Paredes continued his heady play to find Alex Carr for another and it looked as if the Power were ready to play. Some more long and direct play by Anthony Tipungwuti and set up Tim Membrey to open his scoring but the Knights goaled after a soft free kick was awarded to them.
The Power were off target from set shots and it took a Tim Membrey “speccie” and goal to get them back on track. By the first siren the Power led by twenty –two points after the Knights had put them under the pump with their strong and determined play. Some fine pressure applied by Paredes gave Membrey his second major before Membrey and Fusinato used vision and skill to set up Shannen Lange to goal from a set shot.
More good work by Muir and Deery saw Membrey take another strong mark and then kick yet another goal. The Knights reminded the Power defence about the need to be accountable no matter how well they were playing. Some terrific team work by the Power resulted in another goal kicked by Tom Muir. Some more positive use of the ball allowed Matt Northe to join the party for two fine goals and then Adam Wallace found Membrey who snapped another.
It was starting to look ugly for the Knights when vision by Tom Fusinato and Deery set up Lange for his second from close in. Lange turned provider with some good ball use to find Sale team-mate Will Hams for a fine long goal from the fifty metre line. By the end of the term the Power had e on the extended their lead to seventy two points after one of their best quarters of football for the year.
It was the knights who opened the scoring in the third term to remind the Power that they had to stay on track to limit their impact on the scoreboard. Some clever work by Aaron Heppell allowed Tipungwuti to enjoy his time up forward before Lange, Wallace and Muir combined cleverly to set up Deery for his first goal for the game. Wallace and Tipungwuti then joined forces to set up Membrey for a fine major from deep in the forward pocket.
Membrey unselfishly found long-term team mate Northe for his third goal and this seemed to inspire Paredes to use typically strong pressure to set Membrey up for his seventh for the game. Late in the quarter the Knights scored another major but the Power replied with some excellent team work to allow Carr to run into open goal. By the end of the term the Power lead was ninety eight points and it appeared as if they were finally able to break free from the hard working Knights.
The Knights capitalised on some lazy Power defensive work early in the last quarter but Josh Cashman took advantage of a rare time up forward with a clever snap. The Power then squandered some gettable opportunities before Cashman kicked second after a fine interception of a Knights defensive clearance. Not to be outdone, Northe marked well and goaled after Paredes had sent the ball long and direct again but the Power were then embarrassed by two Knights goals after some really sloppy defence.
By the end of the match the Power had won by one hundred and three points but would rue the chances that they wasted in the last term. They went forward eighteen times in the quarter for only three goals and undid some of their fine work from the other three terms. It was obvious that the boys had worked very hard for most of the game to counteract the determined efforts of the Knights and the last quarter showed that they struggled to finish the game off for the first time for the season.
Final scores, Loy Yang B Gippsland Power 22 goals 18 behinds 150 points defeated the Northern Knights 7 goals 5 behinds 47 points. Goal kickers Tim Membrey 7, Matt Northe 4, Josh Cashman, Shannen Lange and Alex Carr 2, Will Hams, Simon Deery, Daniel Jackson, Tom Muir and Anthony Tipungwuti 1. In a brilliant display of strong marking, accurate kicking and clever use of the ball to set up others, Tim Membrey led his team in every facet of the game. He did far more than kick seven for the day as he played the ultimate team game despite being under extreme pressure from the best defenders that the Knights could muster.
Defender Josh Cashman backed his judgement perfectly to initially shut down dangerous opponents and then become the initiator of positive ball use with his skill, vision and pace. He again backed up his fellow defenders with disciplined play and capped off a fine game with clever goals when moved forward. On baller Tom Fustinato has worked hard to do the one-percenters all season but in recent games has taken things up a notch as he has used his hard-won possessions with vision and long kicking. His ability to play disciplined football in the engine room has been critical and he stood tall in this game.
After a dominant state game the week before, Anthony “Walla” Tipungwuti turned it on at this level with another match where he used his pace, reading of the play and immense skills to stunning effect. He has worked incredibly hard to get to this standard and has become an integral part of the team game plan. Mid fielder Shannen Lange is another who thrives on a challenge and his work rate in the team’s engine room is outstanding. He led the team in tackles but also won many contested possessions as well. He finishing things off with the ability to set up team mates as well as scoring his own goals in a complete performance.
Once again Will Hams was an important member of the midfield unit with another effort that saw him use his skill, pace and aggression to telling effect. He took on and beat bigger opponents and finished off his all-round effort with the mark of the day and a fine long goal from out wide. Youngster Aaron Heppell was another defender who became an important generator of drive with his willingness to back his judgement and use his pace and skill. He too was able to counter taller opponents but really stood out with the ability to make good decisions under pressure.
Fellow defender Ryley Hall led his team mates with another game where he used disciplined, team-oriented football to defeat dangerous opponents as well initiating attacking play. His work on the vital one-percent aspects of play was crucial as well as setting a fine example for team mates. First gamer Jarryd Drew showed that he was more than ready to take up the challenges involved at this elite level of football. He worked tirelessly to beat his opponents as well as backing up others with his willingness to follow the side’s game plan and do the right thing under pressure.
The Power now has a week off for a bye and will be more than ready to have a break after a great amount of hard work since the start of the pre-season program. They have set an amazing standard for the rest of the TAC Cup competition and lead the way in most important measures of team oriented and hard-nosed football.
Their next game sees them up against the highly rated North Ballarat Rebels and both sides will go into the match without key players due to state commitments. This will be a crucial game for both sides and Nick Stevens will again rely on Power players who have had limited opportunities at the elite level. He has used 35 players already as an attempt to ensure that those who step up to fill state football vacancies are ready for the challenges of TAC Cup football, especially for a side that is undefeated so far in 2012.
Last Modified on 03/09/2012 14:08