Gippsland Power - Media Release
By Bryan Mitchell
The 2007 TAC Cup season came to an official conclusion for the Gippsland Power football club when it held its vote count and presentation day at the Morwell RSL last weekend. Traditionally this is a day involving mixed emotions as the achievements of the season are recognized and celebrated. This occurs at the same time as fare welling those boys who move on to senior football after spending up to five seasons in the Power system from the under 15's through to the TAC Cup.
Once again the club has a lot to celebrate with the individual and team achievements which culminated in finishing in top position at the end of the regular season. However this was tempered with the realization that they lost five of their last six matches including two finals and the remaining players will begin their 2008 season with a strong sense of unfinished business.
In front of a large crowd of family and friends the votes for 2007 were counted and Jackson Hall was a runaway winner of the prestigious International Power best and fairest award. This victory not only recognized his consistently high quality performance during the year but also the incredible determination, discipline and endeavour that he exhibited to bounce back after a disappointing season in 2006 where he couldn't get into the side.
Nick Heyne won the Colin Watson Holden runner-up award and once again it was a true testament to his brilliant and often breathtaking skills as well as the personal sacrifice that he made by moving to Maffra from his home in Orbost to live with the Pleming family to alleviate the stress of travel during the season. The Warragul linen services most improved player award was won by Haelen Kay and once again there is a special story behind this achievement. Haelen was on the development list for the club in 2006 and, although not paying a game during that year, didn't miss a session and grasped his opportunity in 2007. The result was a stellar season that resulted on state selection as well as a nomination to the AFL draft camp.
Jackson Hall's wonderful season was further recognized with Quantum Support services coach's award. His leadership and dedication on and off the track were the hall marks of a season that won the respect and admiration of the coaching panel. Dan McKenna won the Morwell RSL goal kicking award and was another to provide leadership on and off the field.
Young defender Dean Woodhead was presented with the Patties Pies most disciplined player award in recognition of his consistent willingness to take on the opposition's most dangerous forward and not only nullify their impact but also take risks to back himself and generate attacking play. Nick Heyne also picked up a second award when he took out the Surkitt Quik Pix best first year trophy for a season that saw him win state selection as well as a place in the AIS/AFL academy squad for 2007-8.
The club's trainers make an important award for conduct and respect around the club and this was taken out by James Blaser who led the way in terms of his positive attitude to the program and the people who work in it. Brent Connelly capped off a fine season with the most valuable player in the finals award and emphasized just what he is capable of under scrutiny at the business end of the season. Popular off field helper Peter Bates was presented the best club person award in appreciation of the unstinting and generous support that he cheerfully gave to all aspects of the clubs operation.
One of the unique features of the ongoing success of the club under the leadership of Peter Francis is its ability to attract and retain high quality staff who are totally committed to the club and all that it represents. Life membership has been previously given to club stalwarts Allan Hoult and Laurie Plunkett who epitomize the sort of commitment worthy of such an honour.
In 2007 the club has extended this honour to 4 more of its hard working team of officials. Head trainer Bobbie-Lee Blay, fitness guru Les Ponton, Development Manager and Under 16 squad coach Rob Reid and statistician and welfare officer Bryan Mitchell have over 55 years of high quality service with the club between them.
Each of them has individually made a significant contribution to the club and all of its players through their dedication to the Power and its many programs. Equally as importantly they have contributed to the team work that's critical to the clubs on-going success and harmony. They have helped to establish and maintain the vital fabric of the Power that allows the boys to have the best chance available to follow their footballing dreams.
Coach Adrian Hickmott spoke on each of the boys moving on in 2008 as well as highlighting the contributions of his assistants, Ash Green, Danny Miller, Jim Dear, Chris Dallinger, Les Ponton and Rob Brand. He also thanked those behind the scenes for their invaluable assistance in creating the club's program.
Although the 2007 TAC Cup season is over work for the 2008 program has begun already with a camp in Melbourne for 26 of the clubs most promising under 16 players as they make the huge step up to the nation's best junior competition. They were based at Essendon Football club and were expsed to issues such as AFL's recruiting requirements by Essendons Adrian Dodoro, weight training principles with Lee Brown from the Sydney Swans, skills with Essendon assistant Gary O'Donnell and diet and nutrition with Collinwood's Emma Rippon.
On the second day they were addressed by Essendon's conditioning coach John Quinn who covered Physical preparation and running technique as well as having ex Power player Jason Winderlich talk to them about about becoming an AFL player. Les Ponton then took the boys through a session on recovery and rehabilitation and coach Adrian Hickmott finished off with a talk on TAC Cup team play and tactics. The camp was concluded on day three with a visit to Collingwood's state of the art Lexus centre and then a game against the Northern Knight's under 17 squad.
This camp is pivotal to the short and long term success of the Power as it catapults the boys into the mindset and level of dedication required by the competition. There are 14 listed players who remain available in 2008 as well as three under 16's who have stepped up already in 2007. This represents the nucleus of a highly competitive group already but the precocious skill of the boys at the camp means that competition for the final list in 2008 will be fierce and no one will be guaranteed a place. Power supporters can rest assured that they will see some exciting talent in 2008 and beyond as the newcomers join the veterans to establish their credentials at the elite level.
As if this wasn't enough for the Power staff, a mini version of the under 16 program was delivered to the regions top under 15 players at Morwell to help them to be better prepared for the under 16 program in 2008 and then on to the full Power system in 2009. This induction process is critical to assit their transition from local football and head coach Adrian Hickmott and Peter Francis have developed a structure that ensures that the boys can make the necessary steps up through the programs comfortably while still being challenged physically and mentally.
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 14:47