Media Release
By Bryan Mitchell
In cold and blustery conditions at Morwell last Sunday Gippsland Power recorded their fourth TAC Cup win for 2006 with a 58 point win over Eastern Ranges. It was an "ugly' win with few passages of cohesive play but they worked hard to pressurise Eastern all day and had winners all over the ground.
The Power were missing Luke Webber from the previous game and then lost tenacious on-baller Jaymie Youle as a late withdrawal with a slight hamstring strain. This created an opportunity for Maffra youngster Winston Gieschen to make his debut in conditions well suited to his in and under style of play. Neither side could kick accurately early in the first term and finally Be4n Jostlear and Ricky Delphine linked up to open the Power account. Joel Morgan received a soft free and made the most of it before some effective teamwork set up Lachlan Hansen. Neither side was conceding easy possessions but the Power were being more effective and Brent Macaffer was giving the Power a lively focal point and had three majors on the board by the end of the term. A goal after the siren to Eastern reduced the Power lead to 30 points but they seemed to be in total control. The only downside was the loss of Tyson Goldsack and Ben Ross due to injury and this meant that the Power was down to 20 fit players for the last three terms.
Early in the second term a quick kick by Marc Truscio gave Hansen a goal and it looked as if the Power were ready to blow the game open. The Ranges hit back immediately to quell such thoughts and the Power were making unforced errors. Once again Macaffer was on target and the pressure was on Eastern to stay in the game. To their credit they dug deep and the Power was being punished for some lairizing and lack of encdeavour by players who should know better. By the long break the Power led by 17 points and Eastern were right in the game. Once again neither side could find the big sticks early in the third term and it took a long bomb by Jack Bailey to break the goal drought. Eastern hit back hard and then some scrambly play finished with Macaffer's fifth. This inspired some good play by Dan McKenna to allow Lachlan Hansen to show us another party trick from his amazing repertoire. Jeff Ryan joined the party after Dolphins vision resulted in a long bomb and it looked as if the Ranges were spent. They lifted their work rate to score a major late and by the last change the Power led by 31 points.
Hansen took no further part in the game after crashing heavily while taking a "speckie" so the pressure was on the remaining team leaders to step up and help the keen "rookies" finish the game off. Kane Martin opened the scoring early after some direct and purposeful play as the conditions began to make it harder to execute skills. Ben Hughes kicked his first after the umpire awarded two 50-metre penalties against his opponent. With Dan McKenna controlling the ruck, Delphine clinically finished off a great bit of play before Tommy Johnson capped off his superb game with a strong mark and long goal.
Final scores Gippsland Power 16 goals 18 behinds 114 points defeated Eastern Ranges 7 goals 14 behinds 56 points, Goal kickers, Brent Macaffer 5, Lachlan Hansen3, Ricky Delphine 2, Jack Bailey, Ben Hughes, Tom Johnson, Kane Martin, Joel Morgan and Jeff Ryan 1.
Tommy Johnson relished the conditions and took strong contested marks as well as generating drive from defence with his willingness to back his judgment. Captain Rob Eddy amassed 30 possessions in a solid four quarter effort and was able to provide a constant avenue to attack for his team mates. His efforts were matched by prolific ball-winner Ricky Delphine who really stepped it up when the side needed direction in the last term. Brent Macaffer continued his good recent form and led well, marked strongly and kicked accurately all day. Half-back Jeff Ryan worked hard all day to stem his opponents' influence as well as generating run wherever possible. His efforts were matched by fellow defender Ben Hughes who stood tall all day and was pivotal in the last term when leadership was needed. Dan McKenna was solid early but he too rose to the challenge at the start of the last term and gave easy possessions to his on-ball brigade. Sam Cambridge continued his indoctrination to TAC Cup football and rarely gave his opponents a sniff and Lachlan Hansen's contribution in three terms was also instrumental in the strength of the performance.
Paul Hudson and the coaching panel had plenty to be pleased about with the win, most particularly the way s\that the inexperienced players stood up when the pressure was on. They showed that they were adjusting to the demands of the TAC Cup and that they could maintain the sort of pressure that wins games. However he would be disappointed with the second term and the apparent lack of intensity that allowed the Ranges to be right in the game at half time. They were less than impressive and this put the backline under unnecessary pressure. He will be keen to eliminate this sort of attitude and to have the whole side focused when they take on the NSW/ACT Rams next weekend.
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 12:12