Media Release
By Bryan Mitchell
Gippsland Power went into their clash with top TAC Cup side Geelong Falcons facing some severe challenges to their mental and physical toughness. Firstly they were without premiership players of the caliber Delphine, Ryan, Youle, Eddy, Hansen and Ross due to State team requirements and this was then compounded by loss of young ruckman Brent Connelly due to VCE commitments. The Falcons were in a similar situation due to state side commitments but the Power's problems were further exacerbated with injury robbing McKenna, Vernon, McIntosh, Bergmeier and Truscio the chance to fill some of the glaring gaps created by the loss of the big six.
From challenge opportunity springs and it was with this in mind that the Power team took on the highly rated Falcons. The Power seemed to settle better after a scrappy start to the first term and Tyson Goldsack had the first major on the board from outside the 50 metre arc. As would become a familiar pattern for the rest of the game, the Falcons rallied and capitalized in some indecisive Power defence to take a narrow lead. Luke Webber replied for the Power after receiving the benefit from a 50 metre penalty and then Kane Martin capitalized on some direct forward paly to put the pressure on the Falcons. However, the Falcons were still in the game due to some poor manning up by the Power and it took some good teamwork by the Power to set up Brent Sheehan whose goal gave them a two point lead at the first change
The Power were right in the game but were struggling to reduce their skill and decision making errors. They opened the second quarter with a clever goal to Brent Macaffer but then conceded a soft goal to the Falcons on the 10 minute mark. The Falcons hit back hard but were off target and the Power punished them with a goal to Jackson Hall again as a result of a 50 metre penalty. Instead of capitalizing on this, the Falcons hit back with two majors as a result of some soft Power defence and went into the long break 5 points up.
The pressure was beginning to tell on both sides and neither could assert themselves early in the third term. The Falcons hit first and again punished some poor Power play to break clear mid way through the term. Some heady play by Ben Jostlear and Macaffer reduced the margin but once again costly errors and Falcons pressure allowed them to score easy goals and go into the last change 21 points up.
Although they were still in the game, only a die-hard Power supporter would have expected the boys to withstand the pressure in the last term. Goldsack and Hughes combined to give the Power the all-important first goal but the game then became a scramble a neither side could get any purpose into their play. The Falcons the punished some tried Power efforts and put the game beyond dispute. The Power kept trying with majors to Macaffer and Goldsack but it was too little too late and the Falcons went on to win by 36 points.
Final Scores Geelong Falcons 16 goals 8 behinds 104 points defeated Gippsland Power 10 goals 8 behinds 68 points. Goal kickers, Brent Macaffer 3, Tyson Goldsack 2, Jackson Hall, Brett Hughes, Kane Martin, Brent Sheehan and Luke Webber 1.
Tyson Goldsack led by inspirational example with a brilliant game that resulted in 34 possessions, countless ruck tap outs, and 6 marks as well as his two goals. His effort was matched by youngster Ashley Payne who withstood great pressure in key defensive positions. Fellow "junior" James Blaser was equally resolute in defence and had the confidence to back his judgment and attack the ball. Joel Morgan was another defender to stand tall under some considerable pressure and he too set up play with his willingness to run and carry the ball. His Warragul team mate Ben Jostlear was in every pack and rarely conceded an easy possession as well as working hard to set up play with skill and strength. Matching his hard nosed approach was Tristram Francis who relentlessly tackled, harassed and pressured his opponents in another strong display.
Paul Hudson and his selectors would have been pleased with the sides effort and endeavour but on closer reflection will rue the skill and decision making errors that made the job so hard for the team. The Power now take on the Murray Bushrangers and neither side will have their state team representatives. The "Bushies" have had a good season so far so once again the Power will be under pressure to be competitive against a quality side without their better players. Some of the injured players should be back to bolster the side so they are a realistic chance to win this game given the same level of endeavour as was shown against the Falcons. Paul will be hard at work to ensure that the error count is reduced and that the boys don't concede soft opportunities to the opposition.
Last Modified on 27/05/2008 09:09