The early signs were all positive for Loy Yang B Gippsland Power leading into their round 12 match against Dandenong Stingrays. After being handed a thumping by Murray Bushrangers the weekend before, the Power boys responded mid week with what the coaching staff described “the best training session we have had all year”. That intensity carried over to the pre game warm up in the perfect conditions at Shepley Oval, home ground for the Stingrays. Power ready to redeem themselves with a big showing against their arch rivals.
It certainly wasn’t going to be an easy task; the Dandenong Stingrays were coming off a big win, sitting 6th on the TAC Cup ladder they have always been a tough opponent, the rivalry going back many years. Power went into the game without its 7 state representatives as they had played in the AFL under 18 National Championships during the week. The depth of the Power list was once against tested but there were plenty of youngsters putting their hands up, ready to step up to the challenge. Alex Carr and Adam Wallace came back into the team, as did Shannen Lange, returning from a stint at VFL level with the Casey Scorpions.
Coach Nick Stevens wanted his players to get back to the basics that had held them in such good stead in the first 8 games of the season. If there was a column on the stats sheet for the 1% things such as chasing hard and attacking the footy, Power would have been well down on those numbers in the last few rounds. Stevens implored his chargers to make the Stingrays players accountable and for each and every one of them to focus on beating their man.
The game was scrappy early, with no one able to get clear possessions. In only his second game for Power, young ruckman Ben Vardy was in the thick of things straight away with plenty of ball ups from stoppages. Power’s back six were put under a lot of pressure with Dandenong pushing forward, wayward kicking for goal by the Stingrays helping the Power. Defender James Huts was standing tall, taking crucial marks deep in defence. The Stingrays managed to break through for the first goal of the game, after roving the pack and finishing with a great snap shot.
Power were being their own worst enemy, taking strong contested marks but then kicking into the man on the mark on three different occasions all within a few minutes. While the Stingrays were getting strong delivery into their forward 50, Power were turning the ball over with poor kicking and not giving their forwards a chance. A clever knock on forward by Tom Muir enabled Matt Northe to get clean possession and finally hit leading forward Simon Deery on the chest. Deery continuing his good form slotted it through the big sticks for Powers first goal of the match.
The Stingrays then kicked a goal from a free kick and were getting away from their man easily. Once again they got out over the back, kicking another goal that negated the hard work of the Power defence. A strong contested mark by Josh Scott after pushing forward opened up the forward line. The deep kick from Scott gave Simon Deery the perfect opportunity to beat his man one on one. Deery took the mark and converted the goal, his second for the quarter.
It seemed like Power were really starting to get on top when Matt Northe goaled from a free kick. Better clearances from the centre were giving the forwards and chance. At the end of the quarter it was a one point game and Coach Stevens was pleased with the intensity being shown. The concern was a shoulder injury to James Huts, who along with Josh Cashman had been huge for Power in defence.
Early in the second quarter Power were given opportunities in front of goal from free kicks, but were unable to convert. A beautiful kick from Matt Northe that sailed right over the goal umpires head broke the run of points and gave Power the lead for the first time in the match. This opened the floodgates with a run of goals to follow. Tom Muir took a strong pack mark and hit Daniel Jackson with the pass. Jackson turned on his trade mark speed and kicked a huge running goal from 50. Then undisciplined play from the Stingrays led to a downfield free kick, gifting Simon Deery his third goal for the game.
While Power was dominating possession in the second quarter they weren’t being rewarded on the scoreboard. It was the rock solid Power defence that didn’t allow the Stingrays to take advantage of Powers missed shots on goal and wasted inside 50’s .In just his second game the tackling pressure that Brenton ‘Mango’ Hillard was applying was a stand out. Along with the youngest player on the Power list Liam Nash, Hillard was fierce in hunting the man with the ball.
When Lachie Channing hit Josh Scott in the pocket with a pin point pass, smart thinking and team work saw Scott handball to Alex Carr who kicked a great goal. It looked like Power were ready to dominate but a very disappointing last five minutes of the half saw the Stingrays get back into the game with two easy goals.
Up 15 points at the main break, Coach Nick Stevens gave his players a blast at half time, furious that after playing fifteen minutes of brilliant football, the boys let themselves down with mental lapses and laziness in the last five minutes. Stevens wanted his players to get back to the team structures saying “when we get it right we look dangerous”.
When the Stingrays kicked a quick goal to open the third quarter Power looked flat. The boys weren’t switched on, playing behind, not manning up, and getting smashed in the stoppages. When poor decision making led to a turn over and goal to the Stingrays, Stevens must have been pulling his hair out. His defenders were saving the day though with both James Huts and Aaron Heppell getting hands to what would have been certain goals and keeping Power in it. It took a freakish snap goal from Shannen Lange to break Power’s the scoring rut, but the Stingrays were still moving the ball end to end uncontested and with ease.
After another Stingray goal from a turnover and forward Josh Scott going down with an ankle injury right before ¾ time, it seemed like Power’s day was going to get even worse. After starting the quarter in front they were 10 points down going into the break. During the break Stevens urged his players to take a risk and be bold. His belief was steadfast, “if we get the structures right, we will win the game”. The challenge was laid out bare for the young and inexperienced Power team. They were down, but they weren’t out.
The boys responded to their coach, starting the last quarter with the effort and intensity he wanted. It was the little things that sparked the turn around, smothers, sheppard’s, and working hard for each other. Fortunately for Power Josh Scott made it back out on to the field, taking a classic ‘Scotta’ pack mark, the ball just falling into his outstretched arms. As Scott converted the goal he let rip with a loud “C’mon” to inspire his team mates.
The tackling pressure went up a notch with Power laying huge tackles that shut down the Stingrays run. Andrew Nelson hit Josh Scott on the lead and Scott converted once again. It was clear to see the players had belief, now just three points down Power were turning the game around. After some desperate play, Daniel Jackson kicked a beautiful pass to Josh Scott who again pulled down a strong contested mark. Scott kicked a huge goal from just on 50 that put Power in front for the first time since the start of the third quarter.
With only minutes left on the clock Power were leading by 4 points, and they went about locking the ball down, denying the Stingrays any opportunity to get a late goal. The elation at the sound of the final siren was matched with exhaustion, the Power players totally spent from giving it everything that they had in the last quarter.
Coach Stevens was full of praise for the maturity and sheer determination shown from his young players in the come from behind win. He told the boys that given the context “that’s the best win we have had all season”. After the match Olympian and Australian Opals Basketball team stalwart Belinda Snell addressed the boys in the rooms. Hailing from Mirboo Nth, Snell told the boys that the way that they worked for each other, the determination and the team work they had shown really impressed her. High praise from one of the best Basketball players in the world who is about to depart for her third Olympics.
The Power now looks ahead to a home game against the Western Jets. With just 5 rounds left before finals start it’s getting to the business end of the season. With the National Championships now concluded the battle for selection will really heat up.
Final scores:
Gippsland Power 11.12.78 defeated Dandenong Stingrays 11.8.74
Best Players:
Josh Scott, Simon Deery, Liam Nash, James Huts, Shannen Lange, Ben Vardy
Last Modified on 12/11/2012 09:30