GIPPSLAND POWER - MEDIA RELEASE
By Bryan Mitchell
Gippsland Power's journey in the 2005 TAC Cup took another positive step with a comprehensive victory over the North Ballarat Rebels on Sunday. The game was played in warm conditions with a strong wind favouring the east end of the oval. Paul Hudson had left the team unchanged after their impressive first round win and the boys were primed for a strong performance.
The Power were kicking against the breeze in the first term but, with a combination of fierce pressure in and around the packs and long and direct forward thrusts, they made light of what appeared to be a significant disadvantage. They had many strong marking options and when the ball hit the deck, they were able to win those contests as well. When the Rebels did manage to go forward the Power defence was a formidable unit and made them struggle for any scoring opportunities. By the first change the Power led by 24 points and had the wind in the next term.
Things looked grim for the Rebels when the Power had two quick goals on the board but the managed to stem the potential flood and were making it hard for the Power to get their game going. Paul was using the bench cleverly to rotate his key players and keep them relatively fresh in the testing conditions. The incessant Power pressure cracked the Rebels resolve and they slammed on a series of well constructed goals that rewarded their commitment to each other and the team rules. By the long break they led by 65 points and looked set to totally rout the Rebels.
The wind had strengthened during the break and the Rebels quickly showed that they were not going to let the Power control the third term. They dominated the centre clearances despite the fact that the Power rucks were in total control. Suddenly the defenders were under pressure and the Rebels scored telling goals by going quick, long and direct. Mid way through the term the Power managed a couple of telling goals but it was the rebels who finished strongly and the lead was now only 25 points.
The last change allowed Paul to address the "troops" and he bluntly let them know what he wanted. He also reminded them of what they had achieved in the first half and how well they had played in doing so. He set them the challenge of matching the Rebels third term effort. As if by magic, suddenly the momentum had swung firmly in the Powers favour. They re-applied intense pressure on all contests and the ball was being sent forward with purpose and precision. The overwhelming team work and commitment to each other returned and the goals flowed as a consequence. However it was an individual effort that was the highlight of the term. A long bomb from well inside the centre square by Ben Hughes had the crowd gasping in admiration.
Final scores Gippsland Power 22 goals 15 behinds 147 points defeated North Ballarat Rebels 9 goals 14 behinds 68 points. Goal kickers; Jay Neagle 8, Chris Dunne, Nathan Lieshout and Scott Pendlebury 2, Nigel Benn, Brett Dore, Ben Hughes, Steve O'Bryan, Dale Thomas, Zac Vansittart, Marc Truscio and Beau Vernon 1. The more consistent contributors were Jay Neagle, Chris Dunne, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Johnson, Ricky Delphine, Steve O'Bryan and Ben Hughes. Once again the Powers' potent blend of top and bottom age players is plainly evident in the better players and goal kickers and they are complimenting each other with ruthless efficiency so far this season.
Paul and his coaching panel were extremely pleased with three quarters of the sides performance,. The kicked 20 goals in that time and restricted the Rebels to one major. However the third term showed that there was still a lot to do in terms of the sides' learning curve in the 2005 TAC Cup program. What will please them is the way they kicked back after such a poor quarter and it showed that they had what it takes to respond to tough challenges.
The Power selectors now face a really unenviable task in preparation for the clash with the Bendigo Pioneers on Friday. They will have three more of the clubs talented bottom-agers available to add to the mix of the side. Rob Eddy, Xavier Ellis and Lachlan Hansen have returned from All-Australian / AIS duties in Ireland and they will obviously be pressing for places in what has been a tremendous team in the first two rounds of the season. It really is a difficult position to be in but, for Power supporters, it means that the 22 who enter the arena on Friday will be at the peak of their form and Bendigo will know that they are in a game no matter who lines up against them.
Last Modified on 21/05/2008 17:30