Gippsland Power - Media Release
By Bryan Mitchell
In perfect football conditions at Skilled Stadium, Gippsland Power booked their place in the TAC Cup grand final with a gritty, hard-fought win over the Northern Knights. The Power came into the game after a weeks rest and faced a side that had really made them struggle in the regular season encounters.
It was typical finals weather early with both sides being nervous and making simple skill and decision making errors. The Knights settled first and had the early momentum and it took some forward pressure by Ben Ross and Brett Dore to create an opportunity for Ben Fraser to score. Instead of capitalizing on this, the Power allowed the Knight to take the initiative and they were punishing the Powers' indecision. The Power hit back through Jay Neagle and then lapsed back into a lethargic state and suddenly the Knights had two more on the board and an 18 point lead at the first change.
Northern had delivered a stern wake up call to the Power and their mettle was being well and truly tested. It took some vision by Ricky Delphine and Steve O'Bryan to set Beau Vernon up for the first of the second term and this was quickly followed by a gutsy goal by Ricky Delphine. Suddenly the Power were back in the game and they were applying a lot of pressure in contests all mover the ground. Steve O'Bryan led by inspirational example and the Power were in front for the first time in the game. They were on a real roll and Rob Eddy joined in the party with a clever goal. Ominously the Knights were far from done with and they hit back late in the term to reduce the margin to 2 points.
It was looking good for the Power when Ben Fraser snagged a major early in the third term and it seemed as if they had finally asserted themselves on the game. Some defensive indecision undid some of this good work and the Knights were back in the game. The Power went on the offensive and Tom Johnson and Rob Eddy combined to push the lead out further only to then waste seemingly simple opportunities to take the game by the throat. Rob Eddy popped up again to help the Power to extend their lead, but the Knights again rallied and capitalized on Power turnovers. By the last change they led by 3 points but importantly had the momentum going into the last term.
The 2005 season was on the line for both teams and it was the Power who struck first with a clever goal by Jay Neagle and then some forward pressure allowed Chris Dunne to give the Power a 10 point lead. Not to be outdone, the Knights served notice that they weren't done with just yet and they snatched back the lead with two goals. Jay Neagle turned a small opportunity into a goal with a great tackle and accurate kick and the pendulum again swung the Powers' way. The pressure was intense as both sides showed just how much they wanted to win. A mark and then long bomb to the "hotspot" by Lachlan Hansen set up Chris Dunne and he made no mistake from an acute angle. In the dying moments of the term neither side gave an inch but the Power were the steadier when it mattered most and they ran out victors by 10 points.
Final scores, Gippsland Power 13 goals 11 behinds 89 points defeated Northern Knights 11 goals 13 behinds 79 points. Goal kickers Jay Neagle and Rob Eddy 3, Chris Dunne and Ben Fraser 2, Ricky Delphine, Steve O'Bryan and Beau Vernon 1.
On a day when the Power struggled to have four quarter performers, youngsters led the way. AFL/AIS squad members Rob Eddy, Xavier Ellis and Lachlan Hansen showed the composure and skill of veterans and withstood the pressure to be defensive, make the play and finish their work in dazzling fashion. It's easy to see why they are so highly thought of in AFL circles. They were brilliantly led by captain Steve O'Bryan who once again showed the sort of determination and capacity for hard work that have been the hallmark of his stellar season. Another tyro, Beau Vernon also made a significant contribution with his special brand of tough, disciplined team-oriented football while ruckman Trent West showed again just how much he has learned in 2005 and what he can offer at the highest levels in the future. Rover and key play maker Ricky Delphine made it a good day for the bottom-agers when, after copping a pounding early, he bounced back with his unique mixture of skill, grit and vision.
Paul Hudson and his coaching panel were justifiably overjoyed with the boys win, especially the way that they lifted when they were so fiercely challenged by a quality team. The Knights punished the Power when they got too "cute" with their decision-making and made them struggle to get their game going. Despite not being able to play well, the Power still won and now Paul has the challenge to get more from the boys in the biggest game of the season.
Even the most ardent Power fan would admit that they struggled against the Knights but there is so much more that they can give and hopefully this game will "blow the cobwebs away." Paul will make sure that they build on this gutsy win and give themselves the sort of impetus needed to make the most of such a well-deserved opportunity to be crowned as the best TAC Cup side for 2005.
After an exhausting and challenging pre-season and 20 weeks of the best under 18 competition in the land, the boys find themselves in the `big-one" at seasons end. They have had an outstanding year in all respects and now have the opportunity to cap it all off with a premiership. The reality is that they have the talent to do this but it just gets down to how hard they are willing to work to make it happen. Many times during the season the boys have had to dig deep when under pressure and happily they have been able to do so with some outstanding team football and exhilarating individual efforts. There are no more second chances and it's now up to them to make sure that they reward themselves with the ultimate prize.
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 12:02