Loy Yang B Gippsland Power played two separate and totally different types of football last weekend and, as a result, lost a game that was distinctly winnable against the EasternRanges side. In the first half they allowed the Ranges to dictate the terms of play and used the Power’s own game plan to totally dominate the match. After being challenged by coach Nick Stevens to get back to their determined and team-oriented approach, they controlled play in the second half but were unable to claw back enough of the score-line that they had conceded so meekly in the first quarter and a half of the game.
The first term saw the Ranges seize the initiative and apply intense pressure on the Power all over the ground. They slammed on seven unanswered goals as a consequence of exposing glaring weaknesses in the Power’s application and willingness to play the sort of team oriented football required in the conditions of the day. The previously strong Power midfield was made to look impotent by the disciplined Ranges boys and this then put the defence under intense pressure to stem the continuous flow from the centre of the ground.
The Ranges had twice as many forward fifty entries as the Power and this was the key statistic that highlighted just how poorly the Power had played. It was the first time all year that they had been dominated so much by an opposition team and they were made to look second rate as a consequence. Nick set them a task to get back to the game plan that had been so productive all season and simply wanted them to be committed to the task at hand.
Things looked even worse in the early part of the term as the Ranges continued to dominate the play and put undue pressure on the Power defenders. However, instead of waving the white flag, they began to play more team football and do the sort of things that the conditions required. They stopped the flow of morale sapping goals and began to get the all going into their own forward line. Josh Scott was able to craft a vital goal late to at least reward them for their more productive efforts.
By half-time they trailed by fifty seven points and the game appeared to be well and truly over. Nick urged them to use the second half to get back to their usual game plan and try to restore some credibility to their score line. The Ranges scored the opening goal of the quarter but the Power dug deep and Alex Carr snapped a critical goal. Some more productive team work by Ben Kearns resulted to another goal by Ed Morris and it looked as if the boys had begun to answer the coach’s challenge. The resultant centre bounce saw the Ranges kick an all too common easy goal and the pressure was back on the Power.
First gamer Brandon Bailley kicked a fine goal after some great pressure being applied by the Power and then Scott created another for Adam Diamond to score. Late in the term Kearns kicked a long bomb and the Power had reduced the margin to thirty nine points. The boys had played disciplined, one-on-one football and had dominated the forward fifty entries as well as the all-important tackles count, especially those in the forward fifty.
Nick continued to focus on positives and again challenged the boys to stick to their game plan during the last break. Jordie Cunico set the tone with a long goal early in the term and then some more forward pressure allowed Alex Saunders to snap a fine goal. The ranges hit back with a vital goal almost against the run of play but the Power hit back with a Kearns major after he applied intense pressure on the Ranges defence.
Just when it looked possible for the Power to get within reach, the Ranges scored and easy reply and then kicked another after an “iffy” free kick. Instead of giving up, the Power kept up the work ethic and Kearns scored two more as a direct result of his ability to apply intense forward pressure. The second half was a great indicator of the sort of character within the Power team and they really did respond manfully to Nick’s challenges. Statistics like forward fifty entries and tackles indicated just how well they responded and Nick was delighted by their responses.
Final scores, Eastern Ranges 15 goals 14 behinds 104 points defeated Loy Yang B Gippsland Power 11 goals 11 behinds 77 points. Goal kickers Ben Kearns 4, Adam Diamond, Alex Saunders, Jordie Cunico, Brandon Baillie, Alex Carr, Ed Morris and Josh Scott 1. On a day when the ruckmen had strong opposition Jack Leslie played really well in the aerial duels. However, he really underlined his incredible potential by moving into a key defensive position and quelling the impact of the competition’s most challenging forward. His versatility and work ethic stood out all day.
Liam Nash has worked very hard to return to full fitness and showed just how important he is to the side now that he is on song. He used his uncanny ability and strength to dominate his dangerous opponents as well as the skill and willingness to be a major influence in midfield contests. The other Power ruckman, Jake Thomas, was also a significant contributor with his dominance of ruck duels as well as the unique ability to get down and dirty in contests at ground level. This willingness to win the hard ball is a reflection of his growing levels of self-belief under Nick’s coaching.
On baller Ed Morris is another who has stepped up to the need to increase his contributions and again worked very hard to apply pressure in contests as well as being the initiator of many positive pieces of play by the side. He too is demonstrating increased self-confidence as a result of his steps up the learning curve. Josh Scott was another player to demonstrate his importance to the team by his ability to do well in his non-preferred positions on the field. He showed great skill and a fine work ethic when asked to join the midfield unit as well as going into defence to shore up deficiencies.
On ball dynamo Nate Paredes was at his bustling best with his ability to apply intense pressure in contested issues and his ten-plus tackles reflect just how hard he worked. Not content with this, he also won many hard-balls in the thick of the action and was crucial in setting the tone for the second-half fight back. The Power now faces the Murray Bushrangers at Highgate arena and, despite their relative ladder positions, it represents a great challenge for the Power.
The Power must continue to play the team-oriented football that was so evident in their second half last week as the indifferent stuff from the first half will be exploited by the Bushies. Nick focussed really well on the positives when he spoke to the boys after the game and they will be well aware of what’s required next week. He will continue to develop their implementation of the game plan and their move up the intense learning curve entailed in TAC Cup football.
Last Modified on 26/08/2013 08:49
