Gippsland Power Media Release
By Bryan Mitchell
The 2007 TAC Cup season opened in excellent conditions for Gippsland Power last week and the boys capitalised on the conditions to record a comprehensive victory over the Eastern Ranges. It was a day for fresh faces as the Power went into the game with a new coaching panel headed by Adrian Hickmott, new staff in many off-field positions and 10 boys making their TAC Cup debuts. As you would expect in the circumstances, the boys took a while to get into the swing of things but showed enough to suggest that they will be highly competitive in the up-coming season.
Neither side went into the game at full strength with the Power only having 8 players who were in the Preliminary final side in 2006. In contrast the Ranges had more bottom age boys but there was plenty of endeavour shown by both sides early in the game. The Power settled quicker and despite making some fundamental skill errors, seemed to have the measure of the Ranges side.
Nick Stockdale opened the scoring with a clever snap but were then off target before some agility by debutant Dean Woodhead resulted in another major. The Ranges hit back, firstly through James Blaser and then Dane Roy snapped truly to give the Power a 24 point lead at the first change. It was a solid lead but the Power had squandered some golden opportunities with rushed shots under pressure.
Eastern were in attack early and the Power defenders were under pressure and seemingly losing their composure. The play was scrappy with neither side able to get clean possession due to the pressure being applied. Some better team play by the Power resulted in Dan McKenna kicking his first and then he combined with another tall player in Brent Connelly to score his second. Despite their ungainly looks it was champagne football by the two big blokes. At the long break the Power lead was 29 points and they were seemingly in control.
Nick Stockdale broke the deadlock in the third term after neither side could establish any sort of momentum early. The Ranges hit back but were off target and it took a couple of big grabs and goals from Dan McKenna to restore the status quo. Beau Vernon's vision and poise under pressure was critical in a couple of Power goals and Connelly was on the receiving end of some of his typically unselfish play. The Ranges were starting to get some cohesion into their play and they punished the Power on the rebound to keep the margin to 46 points at the last change.
Early in the last term the Ranges upped the ante and suddenly the Power were on the back foot and making basic skill and decision making errors. They had the first three for the term and the Power weren't being as direct and purposeful as in the earlier terms. The rot stopped with a better piece of play to set Connelly up for his second but Eastern countered with another as a result of some indecisive Power defence. They were finishing the game off better than the Power and had reduced the margin to a respectable level before Connelly capped off some more Vernon magic. Dan McKenna had a gift from a dodgy decision before the Ranges scored another but the sting had finally gone out of the game. Roy kicked his second when he demonstrated some excell4ent agility and the Power emerged with the four points and plenty to be pleased about.
Final scores, Gippsland Power 14 goals 22 behinds 106 points defeated Eastern Ranges 9 goals 13 behinds 67 points. Goal kickers for the Power were Dan McKenna 5, Brent Connelly 3, Dane Roy and Nick Stockdale 2 each, James Blaser and Dean Woodhead 1.
Jackson Hall showed great composure and skill to dominate the game off the half back flank. He attacked the ball well and provided plenty of run for the side. His Traralgon team mate Dan McKenna was a lively focal point in attack and made the most of his opportunities. His aerial skills were a highlight of his performance. Mid-fielder Michael Todd was a constant source of drive for the game picking up lots of hard-won possessions as well as applying his strong brand of pressure in the packs. Brent Connelly had a day out with three goals as well as around the ground with his ruck-work and marking in packs. He was in the thick of the action all day. Tristran Francis turned in his trade mark game with his fierce attack on the ball as well as his ability to be a key link player all over the ground. Rob Michaelides is a deceptively clever player with his vision and quick hands he made sure that every time he touched the ball it was to the sides benefit. Will Kelly showed the benefit of some faith shown in his ability to be a constant avenue to attack on the wing. He capped his game off with some excellent defence as well.
Adrian and his fellow coaches have plenty to be happy about with this performance. They saw a lot of good play and plenty of endeavour from all the boys but are well aware that they have a lot of fine tuning to do with some of the basic errors that permeated the game. They don't play till after the Easter break when they go to Bendigo for a game against the Murray Bushrangers. This is part of a hectic time for the club with their schoolboys sides in Melbourne this week and then the Under 16's in Bendigo for their carnival at the same time as the under 18's.
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 12:38