BY DANIEL JOYCE
The Eastern Ranges have returned to the winners list and steadied their season with a 50 point win over the Gippsland Power. The 17.18.120 to 11.4.70 victory moves Eastern to a 4-3 win-loss record, maintain their sixth place on the ladder, and more importantly putting breathing space between them and teams outside of the top eight.
The Power, yet to win in 2016, came out firing to begin the match kicking the first four goals of the afternoon. Just when it looked as though the match could be slipping away early for the Ranges the momentum changed, drastically. Four goals in the space of five minutes through Jordan Lynch, Jake McCormack, Patrick Wallis and Jaidyn Stephenson set up what would prove to be an impossible run for Gippsland to stop. Scoring six unanswered goals, in the space of 13 minutes, the boys from the East were able to set up a 15 point quarter time lead.
The dominance that was stemming from hard and fast running through the middle of the ground, most notably by Jordan Gallucci (36 disposals, 11 clearances, three goals,) and Thomas North (21 disposals, five clearances) continued into the second term. However, this dominance was not converted on the scoreboard as the boys added 4.5, missing plenty of gettable shots on goal. Although, there was some reward for effort as Wallis nailed a set shot on the half time siren to make it a five goal lead. A highlight for the term was a courageous mark by Stephenson, flying back into a pack of players, representing the hard work and commitment to the contest that the whole team was displaying.
The Ranges had obviously put their kicking boots on at half time, coming out and kicking the first three goals of the second half; two of which coming from long range running efforts from Nathan Mullenger-McHugh and Kane Doueal. Midterm Gippsland evened out the contest slightly, with a solid five or so minutes of play, resulting in three unanswered goals. But the damage had already been done, and it did not take long for Eastern to inflict more pain on their opposition. Gallucci was terrific in the third term, racking up 10 possessions and kicking one of his three goals, in what was a best on ground display.
Harrison Nolan (10 disposals) and Kane Keppel (13 disposals, six marks) continued their strong seasons down back, holding Gippsland goalless until the final few minutes of the last quarter. Josh Begley (two goals, five tackles) had a quieter day on the scoreboard in comparison to his first three matches, but like many of his teammates applied great tackling pressure all day.
Overall it was a pleasing performance from the entire team, following two straight losses.
NEXT UP:
In what is shaping as a huge clash, the Eastern Ranges will be taking on the North Ballart Rebels at Box Hill City Oval in two weeks time following the sides upcoming bye this weekend. Both teams are 4-3, with only 0.8% separating the fifth placed Rebels and the sixth placed Ranges.
EASTERN RANGES: 6.4 9.9 13.13 17.18 (120)
GIPPSLAND POWER: 4.1 5.1 8.2 11.4 (70)
GOALS:
Eastern Ranges: Gallucci 3, Mullenger-Mchugh 2, Begley 2, Stephenson 2, Wallis 2, Lynch, Lovell, Hayes, McCormack, Hannon, Doueal.
Gippsland Power: Hodge 5, Stephenson 3, Mulqueen, Costigan, Harrison.
BEST:
Eastern Ranges:Gallucci, North, Mullenger-Mchugh, Lynch, Nolan, Keppel.
Gippsland Power: Costigan, Riseley, Leslie, Hodge, Quigley, Patullo.
Last Modified on 17/05/2016 12:16