MEDIA RELEASE
By Bryan Mitchell
Two sides arrived at Morwell oval last Saturday for a vital TAC Cup match but their attitudes towards the game were poles apart. The North Ballarat Rebels arrived ready to give their all to secure their place in the calculations for the 2005 finals series and played accordingly. The Power in stark contrast treated their opponents and the conditions without respect and were punished accordingly. They deserved to lose despite nearly snatching victory at the last gasp and the arrogance with which they played the game will give Paul Hudson and his fellow coaches plenty to think about.
In atrocious conditions due in some part to weather but largely due to a substandard effort by the Latrobe City Council, the game was going to be won by the side that was prepared best for the contest. The Power opened with the first and then missed a golden opportunity to extend the lead and suddenly the Rebels were on the attack and some chinks were appearing in the previously resolute Power defence. The Rebels applied the pressure and forced the Power to be tentative and indecisive in defence and suddenly they were 12 points down at the first change.
Ballarat had the first goal in the second term and were consistently punishing the Powers poor skills and decision making in the conditions. Thirty minutes after their only goal for the game Marc Truscio stopped the rot and the Power began to play with more purpose and cohesion. The Rebels hit back on the rebound and the margin was over 3 goals but, to their credit the Power lifted and began to create the sort of goals that have become their hallmark in 2005. By the long break they led by one point and looked to be ready for a more determined second half.
This hope dashed early in the third quarter when the Rebels kicked the first major after the Power had squandered opportunities to break free. Once again the Power lifted and the slammed on 3 goals in a row to lead by 12 points but importantly, seize the initiative off the Rebels. Instead of capitalizing on this they allowed the dogged Rebels to hit back and kick four unanswered majors to go into the last change 14 points down. They were seemingly unable or unwilling to work hard enough to maintain the momentum despite appearing more than capable of doing so.
Once again the Rebels kicked the first of the term to establish a strong lead and put their stamp on the game. Finally the Power realized what was required against such determined and disciplined opponents and the y began to win the contests and push the ball into their forward line. Despite this dominance of the play the Power could only manage one goal from many opportunities and it appeared as if they had blow their chance, however undeserved, to snatch victory.
Ballarat kicked what appeared to be the sealer but the Power rallied only to again waste their efforts with poor finishing. The Rebels were responding to the challenge and putting pressure on all over the ground despite the fact that the Power were seemingly storming home. Tye Holland kicked a goal after the siren to reduce the margin to a point but this narrow margin doesn't reflect the fact that the Rebels deserved to win because they came to play whereas the Power thought that they could turn it on at will and grab a win when they felt like it.
Final Scores Gippsland Power 11 goals 12 behinds 78 points were defeated by the North Ballarat Rebels 12 goals 7 behinds 79 points. Goal kickers were Ben Fraser 3, Marc Truscio and Chris Dunne 2, Tom Johnson, Dale Thomas, Scott Pendlebury and Tye Holland 1. Best players were Brett Dore, Nathan Lieshout, Lachlan Hansen, Dale Thomas, Rob Eddy, Craig Flint and Chris Dunne.
You could point to the score line and say that the Power were stiff to lose especially, when you consider the fact that they kicked 3 goals 8 behinds in the last term and lost by one point. This thinking would be totally unjust as it down plays how well the Rebels played and how much they deserved their win. They way that the Power played must send shivers up Paul Hudson's spine as it was so atypical of the endeavour and determination that has been so obvious throughout the season. They will need to be far more respectful of their opponents for the last 5 games of the season or else they will throw away what they had previously worked so hard to achieve.
It was a huge wake up call for the Power and next weeks match at Morwell against the Bendigo Pioneers will be the perfect test of how well they have learned the lesson so expertly taught to them by the Rebels. They have played far too well throughout the 2005 TAC Cup season to let this sort of form continue but only hard work and not talk will be required to get back on track
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 11:53