Gippsland Power Media Release
By Bryan Mitchell
Gippsland Power went into their last game of the regular TAC Cup season against the Oakleigh Chargers looking to confirm their recent good form and set them selves up for a positive crack at the 2006 finals series. They failed badly on both counts and now must deal with the resultant lack of confidence at the wrong time of the season. They were without key players Jeff Ryan (suspension) and Lachlan Hansen (injury) but should have had enough depth to cover these losses.
The game was played in typical finals weather and it was the Power who took the early initiative. Some excellent forward pressure set Kane Martin up for the first goal and this started a rush of majors as Ricky Delphine and then Ben Hughes used vision and skill to allow firstly James Blaser and then Rob Michaelides to kick two in quick succession. Delphine then served another up to Brent Macaffer before the Chargers had their first on the board at the ten minute mark. As if stung by this, the Power lifted and Michaelides finished off some strong work upfield and they were 30 points up and cruising.
Instead of capitalizing on this excellent start they allowed the Chargers to regroup and they dominated the latter part of the term to slam on the last three goals of the term. It wasn't the fact that Oakleigh kicked the goals that was of concern, they are a fine side, but it was more that the insipid Power defence gave them an easy entry back into the match. The Power lead was 10 points but Oakleigh now had belief and were ready to make a game of it.
The selectors continued to show faith in an inexperienced defence in the second term Hughes and Ross combined slickly to put some space between the sides early in the term. Oakleigh hit back immediately and the defensive howlers continued to bedevil the Power. Turnovers from skill and decision making errors were killing the Power and it took some clever work by Rob Eddy and Jaymie Youle to give Macaffer the Power's next major well into the quarter. Oakleigh continued to take the gift goals that the Power offered and only some strength by Hughes to give Youle his first and Eddy's snap gave the Power a highly unconvincing 17 point lead at the long break.
The third term opened with the Power defence still outgunned and the Chargers took advantage immediately. Martin hit back for the Power from a free and instead of going on with it the Power were collapsing like a house of cards. Some insipid play allowed the Chargers to score three in a row and suddenly they were in front and clearly confident that they had the Power's measure. Some unselfish play by Macaffer and Delphine allowed Youle to score one late but the Power trailed by 2 points but were clearly struggling to cope with the endeavour and purpose of the Cahrgers.
If ever the Power needed to lift it was now as, with so much at stake, they needed to be at their desperate best. It looked good early as Macaffer finished some fine work by Youle but key Power players had gone missing and the defence was just not strong or committed enough to stop Oakleigh kicking three unanswered majors. Macaffer replied after some good work from Eddy and Delphine before Hughes did it all himself with strength and purpose and the Power were back in it. Oakleigh hit back again and then Hughes and Andrew Oldmeadow swung the pendulum the Power's way.
It was now time to see who wanted the win more and sadly for the Power they were unable to resist the emphatic efforts by the Chargers late in the game. The white flag went up for the Power and the Chargers ran out convincing and well deserved winners. It's easy to hihjligjht who was out of the side but this would undervalue the effort by Oakleigh. The Power had some glaring weaknesses exposed and the coaches box inertia did little to address the problems. Maybe htye were wanting to see if the boys would respond to the challenge themselves as the 2005 side did on their irresistible charge to the flag. The problem is that this side doesn't have the same depth of leadership and all that resulted was that some players must be feeling that they can't do much right. With the finals looming it's not a good scenario and it will severely test the mental and physical toughness of the side in the cauldron of finals football.
Final scores, Oakleigh Chargers 18 goals 21 behinds 129 points defeated Gippsland Power 17 goals 10 behinds 112 points. Goal kickers, Brent Macaffer 4, Rob Michaelides 3, Ben Hughes, Jaymie Youle and Kane Martin 2, James Blaser, Rob Eddy, Andrew Oldmeadow and Ben Ross 1.
Jaymie Youle was one "senior" player to show the way manfully and he worked hard to create passages of play with his strength, willingness to run and courage. Matching his endeavour and grunt was James Blaser who continually backed his judgment to take others on and beat them pointlessly. Rob Michaelides was on fire early and, although not as productive later in the game, was a constant avenue to attack with his silky skills and pace. As he has done all season, Ben Hughes gave his all throughout the game. He continually put his body on the line and used the ball with great vision
Tyson Goldsack was thrown around the field to try to stem the flood and did a great job for the team. He was courageous in the packs and used his aerial skills to telling advantage. Ben Hughes flashed in and out of the game and always looked dangerous. His blistering pace and uncanny reading of the play were in full evidence. Tristran Francis coped a real pounding as continually put his body on the line. He was one player who didn't concede an easy possession all day.
The Power must now regroup and try to put the horros of this game behind them. Hopefully Lachlan Hansen will be right and Jeff Ryan will add some much needed spine to the defence as they will be taking on either the rampant North Ballarat Rebels or the highly rated Geelong Falcons.at Princes Park. On the Power's best form they would be confident of being highly competitive in this situation but the Oakleigh game now throws up huge doubts and their resilience will be severely tested. Paul and his fellow coachs will have to restructure the defence and get the team focused on their strengths. They do have a double chance but this shouldn't be a consideration. It's a simple formula, win and there is no problem.
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 12:21