Gippsland Power - Media Release
By Bryan Mitchell
Gippsland Power's performance in round two of the TAC Cup gave coach Adrian Hickmott plenty to be pleased with as well as lots of ammunition for his ongoing work in educating the boys on the needs of football at this elite level. They took on and defeated the Murray Bushrangers at Maryborough in ideal conditions and, importantly, showed improvement from their win in the opening game of the 2007 season.
The start of any TAC Cup season is all about the boys being on a steep learning curve in terms of their individual performance as well as the team settling into the sort of game required to be competitive in upper echelons of this highly rated competition. The top age players need to take their game to a higher plain while the newcomers have to quickly adjust to the intense mental and physical challenges of the TAC Cup. In the game last weekend the side displayed ample evidence of both areas as well as showing greater adherence to the team plan and rules that Adrian is attempting to establish.
Murray opened the scoring after kicking with the advantage of a string breeze and the Power defence seemed to be faltering under the pressure being applied by the Bushrangers. This wasn't helped when experienced defender Luke Webber was cleaned up in the first contest of the game and had to go off for several stitches to a head injury. James Blaser and Sam Nickless combined for the Powers first after 10 minutes of play but the Bushies hit back and, but for inaccuracy, would have held a strong lead late in the term. The Power steadied late in the term with Nick Stockdale's snap and Nickless's second and by the first change they led by 3 points and seemingly had settled down into a more accountable sort of game.
In the opening moments of the second term the Bushies were playing the more disciplined sort of game and punishing some slack manning up by the Power. However a perfect kick-in by Mick Stockdale to Jaryd Risol and then on to Tristran Francis who goaled swung the momentum the Powers way and they held say for much of the term. Brent Connelly and Dan McKenna combined for a "magic moment" for a couple of awkward big blokes before some strong work by debutant Darren White allowed Risol to kick another. Francis got his second after some typically determined play and it looked like the Power were going to blow the game wide apart. The Bushrangers replied with a last minute major and by the long break the Power led by 23 points.
By the time the third term started the breeze had intensified and the Bushrangers took control of the game from the opening bounce. The Power were on the back foot and were not manning up, especially around the stoppages, and suddenly they were looking far from convincing as the Bushies slammed on four unanswered goals. McKenna stopped the rot with a good mark and goal but the side was struggling to be accountable when it mattered. Murray answered immediately after an easy centre clearance before McKenna and Haelen Kay steadied the ship and the Power went into the last term leading by 7 points but with the aid of the strong breeze. Adrian needed to give them a sharp reminder of their preferred game plan and challenged them to extend their comfort zones in the last term.
Some more magic from "big blokes" Dane Roy and McKenna opened the floodgates for the Power and they began to be stronger in defence as well as teaming more cohesively. Jackson Hall's long bomb to the hot spot allowed Rob Michaelides to crumb a clever goal and then Michael Todd and Nick Heyne created some left footers brilliance. McKenna's pressure set Nick Stockdale up for his second, Connelly scored his second after some excellent team play and Blaser struck a blow for normal size players after some surprisingly slick ball skills from Connelly. The Bushies scored their first after 25 minutes of play but it was answered brilliantly by White with a goal that emphasised his strength and determination. A goal on the siren by the Bushies added some respectability to their score but the Power emerged with four well deserved points and a lot for Adrian and his fellow coaches to be excited about.
Final scores Gippsland Power 16 golas 15 behinds 111 points defeated Murray Bushrangers 10 goals 13 behinds 73 points. Goa;l kickers, Dan McKenna 3, Nick Stockdale, Tristran Francisand Sam Nckless 2, Jaryd Risol, James Blaser, Nick Heyne, Rob Michaelides, Haelen Kay, Darren White and Brent Connelly 1. One of the top-age players who has really taken his game to another level has been Jackson Hall. He again dominated the game from half back and played with great poise and aplomb. James Bristow has been out of the game for 18 moths after a knee injury but he showed that he was nearing the brilliant form that stamped him as an outstanding prospect before being off the scene. James Blaser was back to his bustling best with a typically confident, determined and creative performance around the packs. Nick Heyne was a key player in the win with his strong and clever play on the wing being critical in many positive forward thrusts. Dan McKenna continued his excellent form from round one and, but for inaccuracy, would have had at least 6 goals to cap off his fine play. Brent Connelly consistently defies the stereo type of stilted, awkward and un-athletic 200cm plus players with his agility and clever use of the ball. Michael Todd was another on-baller to work hard in the "engine room" of the side with 14 crunching tackles and lots of strong play to create options for others. Darren White made an impressive start to his TAC Cup career with his disciplined defence as well as confident use of the ball when setting up attacking moves. Haelen Kay was another to defend well as well as being a key prime-mover for the side with his pace and precise disposal skills.
What was even more pleasing than the abundance of good play recognised in the better performers was that youngsters like Dean Woodhead, Jaryd Risol, Micheal Stockdale and Will Kelly won plenty of the ball and had the composure and skill to use it effectively all over the field. There is still plenty for the coaches to address in terms of adherence to the basic components of the game plan, but they are progressing well and will face a severe test of their resolve next week.
The Power will travel to Optus Oval to take on the Bendigo Pioneers and will need to be on their game if they are to keep their winning run intact. They will again be without key players Beau Vernon and Ashley Payne who are battling niggling injuries but the boys have clearly shown in both games this season that they have what it takes but need to string it together for four quarters rather than play in bursts and then let the opposition back in the game.
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 12:39