Gippsland Power - Media Release
By Bryan Mitchell
In past seasons a visit to Carlton's home ground was a pleasure for Gippsland Power as they had recorded many important wins there. However in the 2007 TAC Cup season their love affair with MC Labour park had soured and they went into their qualifying final against the Northern Knights attempting to overcome a most unwelcome hoodoo. A strong wind was blowing down the ground to the Heatley and the Knights were attacking that end in the opening quarter.
The Power were on the attack early and were applying excellent pressure in contests all over the field. They had the knights under the pump and seemingly had the momentum going their way. James Bristow opened the Power's scoring after a free kick and 50 metre penalty after some impressive ball use by the team. A spoil by Will Kelly and then some Chris Endres magic set up Rob Michaelides for another and Power defenders Jackson Hall and Luke Webber were generating a lot of play on the rebound.
The Knights broke their scoring drought midway through the term by catching out the Power on the rebound and were starting to break the shackles applied by the Power. A superb transition saw the Power take the ball from a kick in with Hall and Nick Heyne finishing it off with a major. In red time the Knights rallied and had two more goals on the board to remind the Power that they still right in the game. The Power were well pleased with their efforts but the Knights had rallied late to put themselves just 3 points down.
Bristows deft ruck work set up Endres for an early goal and it appeared as if the Power were going to take full advantage of the wind. Once again the Knights punished the Power on the rebound and it was game on. Jaryd Blair and Endres combined to allow Webber to score and then some excellent pressure by Sam Nickless and Koby Stevens saw Dan McKenna slot another for the Power.
Instead of capitalising on this excellent start, the Power meekly allowed the Knights to wrest back the initiative and time and again they exploited the Power's unwillingness to be accountable in the midfield. They slammed on three unanswered goals to take the lead and the resolute Power defence were crumbing under the pressure applied by the Knights as they swung the ball up forward with little or no pressure. By the long break the Knights led by 12 points and but for poor finishing should have led by far more.
It was crunch time for the Power as, despite the strength of the wind, it was relatively easy to score at either end of the ground. The Power seemed to lack urgency and began to be consistently caught out after sloppy disposal skill created many turnover opportunities. They were like rabbits caught in the headlights as the Knights began to move the ball up forward with little or no pressure. In contrast an ugly piece of play saw Nick Heyne and Darren Granger link up with McKenna for the Power's first of the term. The Knights hit back hard almost immediately and some coolness by Stevens and Michaelides allowed the Power to stay within reach.
However, from here on in, it was all the Knights as they slammed on 4 unanswered goals and took full control of the game. They were doing it easily and dominated the centre clearances to put the Power defenders under irresistible pressure. The Power midfield was having no impact and the Knights were running rampant. They led by 43 points at the last change but had effectively killed the game as a contest with their machine like adherence to a strong game plan.
A goal to Granger after good work by Hall and Stevens gave the Power a lift early but the Knights burst that bubble quickly by punishing the Power on the rebound with ridiculous ease. They were able to control the ball all over the ground and the Power were unable to put together any fluent passages of play. Haelen Kay and Granger joined forces for the last goal of the game but it was a token effort and the Power had shown that they were incapable of the sort of commitment and endeavour to control a side as good as the Knights.
Final scores, Northern Knights 18 goals 18 behinds 126 points defeated Gippsland Power 10 goals 13 behinds 73 points. Goal kickers Dan McKenna, Rob Michaelides and Darren Granger 2, Luke Webber, James Bristow, Nick Heyne and Chris Endres 1.
On a day to forget for the Power, Chris Endres mad the most of his limited and often pressurised chances with his vision and excellent ball skills. He was the one forward who never stopped trying all day. On baler Jaryd Blair was faced with enormous odds against a potent mid field but applied himself manfully to make sure that he was effective in every contest that he put himself into. After a disappointing season due to injury and fitness issues, Ashley Payne was superb in defence with his strong marking and attack on the ball. He stood tall under the ever increasing deluge of Knights attacking forays. Rob Michaelides' silky skills were again on show as he tried hard to get some system into the teams play. He rarely wasted a chance to set up others.
As usual Jackson Hall led his side by stellar example and never conceded an issue despite being under enormous pressure. He tried hard all day to generate drive from defence.
Andrew Oldmeadow was another whose commitment and work rate could not be questioned. He put his body on the line to win and use his possessions. Youngster Koby Stevens was undaunted by the occasion and showed sublime skills and ball reading ability in the heat of battle.
A look at some key statistics demonstrates clearly how ineffective they were against the Knights. They were slaughtered in the centre clearances by 7 to 34 and, consequently, the Power defenders never had a chance to resist the Knights forward thrusts with such dominance form the centre. The Knights kicked 15 goals to the Powers' 7 after quarter time to clearly demonstrate their control of the match. But the most damning statistic was the fact that the Power had 55 ineffective disposals which is almost double their normal tally. They did string together some fine passages of play but too often they wasted their hard work with poor finishing. Against a quality side like the Knights this is suicide as they are brilliant on the rebound.
Adrian Hickmott now has the daunting task to get the boys up for their next encounter as well as at the same time trying to put together a mid-field unit that is genuinely hard and willing to work when the opposition has the ball. It's a tough ask but the boys have shown that they have what it takes to do what's wanted. There were more passengers than a Bourke Street tram last week and they will need contributions form all players if they are to get their season back on track. Gippsland Power face the Ballarat Rebels next Saturday afternoon at 2-00pm at Princes Park Carlton.
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 14:47