Gippsland Power Media Release
By Bryan Mitchell
Gippsland Power went into their TAC Cup match against the Calder Cannons with a huge question mark hanging over them. After starting the season with two poor performances they had bounced back with a gutsy win over Bendigo and seemed to be back on track. Paul Hudson and his coaching panel had worked hard to focus on the deficiencies in their first three matches and the big question was which side had come to play. It didn't take long to see that the boys were on song and they dominated the game all day to emerge victorious by 58 points in wet and slippery conditions.
The first term was played in good conditions and the Power had goals on the board quickly due to some clever play by Marc Truscio and his partner in crime Ben Ross. As would be the pattern for much of the day, the Power let the Cannons into the game with some indecisive defence and it was game on. Some good team work set up Tyson Goldsack and the Cannons hit back with another gift due to a Power "clanger" Goldsack scored another and then it was the Lachlan Hansen show as he kicked two more before the Cannons rallied with a late major to reduce the Power lead to 12 points at the first break.
In the opening minutes of the second term the rain began to fall, but the Power hit hard and Goldsack had his third. The Cannons replied after another error by the Power and then Rob Eddy asserted himself to set up Ross before kicking one himself. Some excellent forward pressure set up Truscio. The Cannons hit back with gifts from the Power defence and then the umpire before a long goal after the siren by Hansen gave the Power a 24 point lead at the long break.
Conditions were deteriorating and the game became a real slog. A long bomb by Tristan Francis started the scoring an neither side was able to use the ball precisely due to the pressure being applied and the slippery ball. The Power were off-target before Hansen added to his highlight reel with a great snap. The Cannons again punished indecision by Power to stay in touch. It took a freakish goal by Ross to keep the Power on track but they were unable to follow his lead and let the Cannons in for two more before the siren. By the last change they led by 27 points but should have been a lot further ahead but for some poor decisions by experienced players.
The last term was a real challenge for the Power. Would they continue to let the Cannons stay in the game or would they finally snuff out the last elements of Cannon resistance. The answer came quickly with goals by Luke Webber, Ross and Truscio. The Cannons had a couple more before Will Kelly rec\eived a gift from Webber and Ross then capped off a stellar game with an Ablett-like "special" along the ground. Kane Martin put his body on the line to mark and goal before some good team work by Jaymie Youle and Brent Connelly gave Brent the final major of the game.
Final Scores Gippsland Power 21 goals 13 behinds 139 points defeated the Calder Cannons 12 goals 10 behinds 82 points. Goal kickers, Ben Ross 5, Lachlan Hansen 4, Tyson Goldsack and Marc Truscio 3, Brent Connelly, Rob Eddy, Tristan Francis, Will Kelly, Kane Martin and Luke Webber 1.
In their best team performance of the year, Ben Ross was superb on the wing with his uncanny goal kicking and ability to use defensive skills to telling advantage. His endeavour was matched Tristan Francis who was in every pack and was the key component of the engine room. Captain Rob Eddy led by example with some hard work in the packs as well as giving the side run all day.Lachlan Hansen relished being up forward with 9 marks and gave the Power a consistent avenue to attack. "Old timer" Tyson Goldsack was a lively forward as well as giving drive in the ruck. Ricky Delphine worked hard all day but really came into his own as the conditions deteriorated. His 38 possessions were a testimony to his work rate. Rookie big man Brent Connelly continued his strong learning curve withy a consistent effort in the ruck and around the ground. Defenders Ben Hughes and Tom Johnson stood firm all day and provided many springboards to attack with their hard tackling and fearless running and long kicking.
Paul was elated after the game as he praised the boys for their adherence to the game plan and great work ethic. What was really pleasing was the way that the veterans set the pattern and then the fact that the first year players made significant contributions by following this example. However there is still a lot of improvement to be wrung from the side as the Cannons kicked at least 7 goals as a direct result from avoidable decision making and skill errors. Yes it was better, but the signs are really positive and the Power go in to their next game against the Jets on a high and ready to build on the strengths of this game.
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 12:09