Gippsland Power Media Release
By Bryan Mitchell
An appointment with the undefeated North Ballarat Rebels was the perfect reality check for Paul Hudson and his Gippsland Power team as they worked themselves back into form in the 2006 TAC Cup season. They had started shakily but had gradually regained some semblance of the purpose and precision that were the hallmarks of their brilliant 2005 season. In contrast the Rebels had begun well and maintained their form to set the standard for the rest of the competition this year.
Complicating the scenario for the Power was the fact that the side was missing several key players and it would be hard to accurately assess the relative strengths of both teams. The Power were still without key 2005 premiership players Rob Eddy, Lachlan Hansen, Ben Ross and Beau Vernon as well as the very promising "rookie" Dan McKenna who has quickly adjusted to TAC Cup pressure in games this season.
On a positive note they regained three of the premiership team with the return of Jaymie Youle, Tyson Goldsack and Ricky Delphine. The Rebels also had reasons for concern as they were on the rebound of an energy-sapping trip to Darwin in round 7 and were without their top ruckman for the big game.
Conditions at North Ballarat were typical for the ground, cold, wet and windy and both sides were going to have to work very hard to cope with the trying conditions. The Rebels opened the scoring after 5 minutes of pressure football but this merely served to sting the Power into action and they created an opportunity for Marc Truscio to crumb a pack and put the Power back in the game.
As if inspired by this the Power took the initiative and applied further pressure to the Rebels with the result that Brent Macaffer had two goals on the board. The Rebels stepped up their levels of endeavour and the game became a slog as neither side was able to have easy possessions. The Rebels scored their second on the 22 minute mark but the Power regained the momentum with a late goal to Brent Connelly after being given the benefit of a 50 metre penalty. By the first change the Power led by 10 points and the Rebels were finding it hard to shake a determined Power side.
Early in the second term the Power scored first with a goal to Kane Martin after some skill and vision by Ricky Delphine. The Rebels hit back and stemmed the flow of the ball into the Power forward line. They began to pressure on the Power defence and in terrible conditions forced decision making errors that resulted in two goals. The Power lifted and the game became a dour struggle. Late in the term the Rebels took the lead as a result of a rebound goal. Both sides were struggling to understand the often confusing and sometimes inept umpiring and it was detracting from what was a great contest.
The third term opened with the Rebels 4 points up and both sides with serious questions to answer. Could the undermanned Power keep the pressure on the league leaders or would the Rebels assert themselves and overcome some dogged resistance. The Rebels had the first major on the board after some soft Power defence and looked set to blow the game open. The Power rallied and for much of the rest of the term it was an arm wrestle with neither side able to break clear of their determined opponents. A timely goal by Jeff Ryan after some vision by Macaffer meant that the Rebels led by 6 points at the last change. The game was up for grabs for whichever side could hold their nerve and both wanted the crucial psychological edge that comes with a win over a premiership rival.
The answer to who wanted it most came quickly as the Rebels took the early initiative and slowly but surely forged away from a disappointing Power side. They scored 5 goals in the last term and kept the Power goalless to clearly establish bragging rights for 2006. The Power were punished ruthlessly for some really inept decision making and skill execution and they will need to regroup to overcome some glaring flaws in their play in the next phase of the season.
Final scores North Ballarat Rebels 11 goals 13 behinds 19 points, defeated Gippsland Power 6 goals 5 behinds 41 points. Goal kickers Brent Macaffer 2, Marc Truscio, Brent Connelly, Kane Martin and Jeff Ryan 1. Jaymie Youle worked hard throughout the game to set the example for the team and was in the thick of the action. Youngster James Blaser was under the pump in defence but showed great composure and skill to win the ball and use it with purpose. Tom Johnson relished the conditions and left no doubt about his level of endeavour with a typically hard-working and determined game. Ricky Delphine made a welcome return from injury and although not yet at his 2005 best did enough to show the way for his team mates despite being closely tagged all day.
Ashley Payne was another young defender to stand tall under the increasing pressure and kept a dangerous opponent quiet. His fellow rookie Travis Francis again impressed with his willingness to hit the packs hard and keep the pressure on highly rated players. Once again Brett Hughes was solid in defence and he set a great example with his disciplined and courageous play.
Paul Hudson and his coaching panel would have a lot to like about some aspects of the game but would have felt that it was a lost opportunity despite the absence of so many key players. He would have liked their endeavour and direct play in the first half. They really served it up to the top side and had them on the back foot for much of that time.
However, when the game was there to be won they gave up meekly and really made the Rebels job easy with some real "clangers" in terms of decision making and skill execution. The Rebels have a lot of players forward of the ball and if they get it, they capitalise ruthlessly. The Power ensured that this tactic was successful by not manning up but more importantly, allowing the Rebels to feed theses players with no pressure as the Power allowed turnover after turnover due to the poor use of the ball.
In some ways the score line flatters the Rebels as the Power really had a genuine "dip" in the game but, they were the smarter team on the day and had the skill and discipline to execute their game plan better. Paul would be keen to have some more of the experienced heads back in the side as they will add not only great skill but also some more clinical decision making in the pressure situations. He will know that the boys showed enough to think that at anything like full strength, they can more than match the Rebels.
The TAC Cup has a bye for state squad training and the Power will have Delphine, Youle. Hansen, Eddy, Ross, Ryan and Macaffer in action. The rest of the squad will return to their home clubs before regrouping for a crucial game against the Geelong Falcons at Morwell the following week.
With a bit of luck the Power might have Hansen, Ross and Eddy back from injury. Their presence will be crucial because the Falcons have started the 2006 season well and will severely test the resolve of the Power to follow a more effective style of play than the one that was evident in the last term capitulation against the Rebels.
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 12:13