Gippsland Power Media Release
By Bryan Mitchell
Gippsland Power recorded a gutsy win over the NSW/ACT Rams last week but it came at a severe cost to the clubs short and long term prospects in the TAC Cup for 2006. They went into the game with 6 of their 9 remaining 2005 premiership players missing due to injury. Out were Ricky Delphine, Ben Ross, Jaymie Youle, Lachlan Hansen, Tyson Goldsack and Beau Vernon and this effectively took the heart out of the side. On a positive note this gave Joel Gibson and Travis Bergmeier the chance to make their debuts and meant that Nigel Benn was also on deck after having a serious health scare during the pre-season.
The pressure was on the rest of the squad to lift to fill the gaping hole left by the loss of such quality players and things didn't improve when Rob Eddy, Marc Truscio, James Blaser took little part in the game due to injuries sustained during the game. To further dampen the spirits of the club, Dan McKenna suffered a nasty injury in the last contest of the match to ensure that Paul Hudson and the medical staff will need to pull off a few miracles to get enough fit players to take on the Ballarat Rebels, the top side in the TAC Cup, next week.
Early in the game, the Power showed no signs of being under pressure due to the walking wounded being unavailable and had the Rams on the back foot from the opening bounce. Some excellent forward pressure allowed Jack Bailey to kick the opening major and some Tristran Francis determination set Brent Macaffer for the first of his four goals for the term. An unlikely bit of agility by Brent Connelly followed by two strong marks and goals by Macaffer showed the way that the Power were dominating play. It took fifteen minutes before the Rams scored a major and this just served to sting the Power into action.
Tom Johnson put his body on the line to goal before Bailey and Kane Martin added insult to injury for the shell-shocked Rams. The icing on the cake came with Macaffers' fourth and by the first change the Power had a 50 point lead. The one downside was the injury to Rob Eddy as he was leading his troops by inspirational example before going down.
If the first term was a highlight, the second was lowlight by comparison. The only good thing about the quarter was that it was short so that the spectators were spared the agony of watching some amazingly poor football. The Rams hit back hard after being pumped in the first term and seized the initiative from the first bounce. The dominated the play and suddenly the Power defenders were making fundamental skill and decision making errors. The Rams were able to score three goals due to the pressure that they put on the Power and it wasn't until the 25 minute mark that the Power scored a goal. It came as a result of some Sale magic as Michael Todd, and Bailey combined to allow Martin to score his second. By the long break the Power led by 37 points and the Rams were back in the game.
The third term wasn't much better with neither side able to get any cohesion into their play. It wasn't as if the boys weren't trying, they were having a real go but, they were struggling without the poise, vision and skills pf the injured players. The Rams scored the first two for the term and the margin was back to four goals and it was game on. The Power finally responded Luke Webber capping off some good teamwork but the Rams responded to remind the Power that they were in a game. To their credit the Power lifted their workrate and Bailey put them 29 points up by the last change.
The last term was a battle of attrition for the Power with only one fit interchange player available and basically it was up to the boys on the ground to get the job done. The Rams were the first to goal and suddenly the Power were looking vulnerable. Some steadiness by Jeff Ryan to allow Joel Gibson to kick his first TAC Cup goal restored the status quo. A series of good tackles and some precise use of the ball gave Macaffer a rare scoring opportunity which he coolly converted and it looked like the Power were finally going to regain the momentum. The Rams hit back hard and with the margin only 14 points, they were lifting all over the ground. A typically strong piece of play by Johnson finally secured the victory and the Power had dodged a huge "bullet"
Final Scores, Gippsland Power 15 goals 6 behinds 96 points defeated NSW/ACT Rams 11 goals 10 points 76 points. Goal kickers Brent Macaffer 5, Jack Bailey 3, Kane Martin and Tom Johnson 2, Brent Connelly, Joel Gibson and Luke Webber 1. Jack Bailey took on the responsibility of being the key "go to" player in attack for the Power and did so manfully. He worked hard to win possessions as well as doing a lot of strong work in packs. Jeff Ryan was another to step up to lead his side by example and he put his body on the line to stem the tide of Rams attacks. Fellow "senior" player Tom Johnson was at his powerful and determined best and contested every issue with great vigour and courage. Key defender Ben Hughes continued his stellar season and has become a pivotal player for the team due to his disciplined work. Youngster Trisran Francis is establishing a reputation as one of the club's toughest players and was again at the foot of every pack. Rounding off the better [layers was Ashley Payne who was resolute at full back despite being under the pump for the last three terms.
Paul and his selectors were overjoyed with the way that so many boys stood tall against such formidable odds. Facing such a stern challenge to their resolve and determination, they responded magnificently but the injuries now pose a serious\s concern to the clubs prospect over the next few games.
In 2005 the club had a charmed run with injury but in the space of two weeks that have been bought back to earth with a resounding thud. Club doctor Greg Shuttleworth and head trainer Bobbi-Lee Blay and her team will have to weave some considerable magic to give the Power enough quality players to be competitive against the Rebels and then for the games coming up for the next month. But, as was shown against the Rams, the challenges involved can be met head on if the boys respond to the challenge.
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 12:13
