Gippsland Power Press Release
By Bryan Mitchell
The wait for the 2007 TAC Cup season is almost over for the Gippsland Power players, officials and supporters with the first official game for the year scheduled at Morwell on Saturday March 31st. The Power will take on the Eastern Rangers confident that they have had a thorough pre-season preparation based on the fitness program of Les Ponton and the skill development work under new coach Adrian Hickmott. There is a palpable sense of optimism at the club with a lot of new blood in the coaching panel and the influx of several highly rated bottom-age players to join the core of players with extensive experience already at this elite level.
In previous seasons the fate of the club is largely determined by the way that the top age players step up to the challenge of leadership and set the tone for the rest of the club. Based on what they have demonstrated on the training track and in the practice matches so far, the current "old boys" are showing the way brilliantly and it's obvious that they want to lead by positive example.
Adding to this exciting mix is the fact that Beau Vernon, a premiership player in 2005, and Luke Webber will be the clubs two over-age players in 2007. This scheme is designed to allow select players the opportunity to play another year based on meeting some strict criteria. Tyson Goldsack showed the way in 2006 when he was drafted to Collingwood after taking full advantage of his second chance.
The team has played three practice games against other TAC Cup sides, Murray Bushrangers, Calder Cannons and the Sandringham Dragons and in each game showed enough to engender some optimism for 2007. They haven't had their best 22 on the park together yet but have still demonstrated some positive signs that they can implement the game plan that Adrian wants them to use in 2007.
He had to be on a steep learning curve to get to know the boys and their strengths and weaknesses after his late appointment in 2006 and he has thrown himself enthusiastically into the task. His unique approach to the role has empowered the boys and they are quickly adjusting to his style of coaching and innovative ideas. It's obvious that, despite the encouraging practice match form, they won't be cherry-ripe for the first game but it won't take long for them to be moulded into a highly competitive unit and then stake a claim for a shot at the finals in 2007.
The final element of the pre-season program is the camp at Paynesville where the finishing touches will be put on the team bonding and fitness work. It is a physically and mentally challenging process, but also a lot of fun, and is the prefect way to set a positive tone for the rest of the season and establish some clear goals and processes by which to achieve them. Most of the boys have spent a lot of time in the Power programs already and are well placed to establish an ethos that will serve them well for the rest of the year.
The boys who have been selected in the final Power squad for 2007 are
Jarryd Blair, (Wonthaggi) James Blaser, Liam Carolan, Ashley Payne, Brad Wedrowicz (Moe) James Bristow, Michael Todd, (Sale) Jack Brown, Brent Connelly, Robert Michaelides, Andrew Petrou, Nathan Rogers, (Morwell) Sam Cole, (Lang Lang) Jed Costigan, Brendon Rathnow, (Maffra) Chris Endres, (Kilcunda Bass) Tristan Francis (Korumburra-Bena) Darren Granger, Nick Heyne, (Orbost) Nathan Grylls (Foster) Jackson Hall, Dan McKenna, Nick Stockdale, Michael Stockdale, Darren White (Traralgon) Sam Kater, (Bairnsdale) Haelen Kay, (DWWWW) William Kelly, (Heyfield) Shane McIntosh, Carson Strobel, (Yarram) Sam Nickless, (Lakes Entrance) Andrew Oldmeadow, (Nar Nar Goon) Jared Risol, Luke Webber, (Newborough) Dane Roy, (Bunyip) Beau Vernon, (Phillip Island) Dean Woodhead, (Drouin).
Adrian and his coaching panel will also work with up to 15 bottom age players who will be invited to train with the club every week. They will form a development group with the prospect of elevation to the senior group during the season or, if that doesn't pan out, setting themselves up for a better crack at making the list in 2008.
Brent Macaffer had this opportunity in 2005 and took full advantage of it, just missing a place in the premiership team. After an excellent season in 2006 he has been drafted by Collingwood as a rookie and is in contention to be elevated to the senior list before the season starts. He clearly shows what can be done with a positive attitude and a lot of hard work and hopefully the boys offered the chance in 2007 will be inspired by his well-deserved achievements.
As that well known philosopher Forest Gump stated, "life is like a box of chocolates, you don't know what you'll get" The TAC Cup Is like that every year as it's almost impossible to line sides up as so much change occurs between seasons. Despite this conundrum, the Power of 2007 seem set to be highly competitive and more importantly have the scope to improve steadily as the youngsters step up and the leaders set new benchmarks.
Gippsland Power Under 16 Squad preparing for the Under 16 championships in Bendigo will play a curtain raiser practice match against the Eastern Rangers prior to the Round One Gippsland Power Under 18 TAC Cup game at Morwell Recreation Reserve commencing at 10.30 am.
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 12:37