Media Release
By Bryan Mitchell
The vagaries of the TAC Cup were in evidence at Morwell last weekend when Gippsland Power took on the Sandringham Dragons. The Dragons had been in great form recently as they \were able to select their private school-based players and had shown great form against top sides. The Power in stark contrast were still without All-Australian players Hansen and Eddy as well as Ryan, Delphine and Ross who were being rested after the nationals. On paper, the Power were going to be up against it in the face of such quality opposition. Paul Hudson was highly optimistic about the boys' chances despite the apparent advantage to the Dragons as the side had responded well when without the state players against the Bushrangers.
It didn't take long for Paul's optimism to be justified as the Power opened the game brightly and served notice early that they were taking no prisoners. The applied the blow torch to the Dragons and had them on the backfoot form the opening bounce. Brent Macaffer was the target up forward with three first quarter majors while Ben Hughes was on fire at centre-half-forward and they straightened the Power play up by winning a lot of contested ball and finished it off with precision. Marc Truscio snuck in for a typically clever goal and by the first break they led by 32 points and had shown that they were going to contest every issue fiercely.
The second term saw the Dragons hit back hard as you would expect from a good team. They were making more of a contest of the game and the Power were looking far less sure as a consequence. Some good handball to set up Kane Martin was needed to overcome a more competitive Dragons side and then Ben Hughes stamped himself on the game to score himself and then set up Jackson Hall. Some lazy Power defence allowed the Dragons to score a miracle goal and by the long break the Power lead was 23 points and the Dragons were back in the game.
Whatever Paul said to the boys at half time needs to be recorded for posterity as the Power came out "on fire" and played some outstanding team oriented football. Tyson Goldsack opened the "goal rush" and the Hughes / Macaffer show added 2 each, while Shane Macintosh, Michael Todd, Marc Truscio and Martin joined in the party. The Dragons scored four themselves to keep the Power honest but they were against the run of play and the Power were 48 points up at the last change and had the game ]safely in the bag.
The last term didn't live up to the standard of the third quarter but the Power still controlled the momentum and kept trying to play the quick, long and direct football that suited Hughes and Macaffer so well in the first three terms. Jaymie Youle kicked the goal of the season with some dash, skill and typical determination and this effectively took the sting out of the contest. Neither side gave up but the intensity wasn't as great, and the teams swapped goals for the rest of the term. Jackson Hall bobbed up for two majors while Jack Bailey finished off a positive forward thrust to allow the Power to push the winning margin out to 61 points by the final siren.
Final scores Gippsland Power 21 goals 9 behinds 135 points defeated Sandringham Dragons 11 goals 8 behinds 74 points. Goal kickers were Brent Macaffer 5, Ben Hughes 4, Jackson Hall 3, Kane Martin and Marc Truscio 2, Tyson Goldsack, Shane Macintosh, Michael Todd, Jack Bailey and Jaymie Youle 1.
In an inspiring team performance where the interchange was used well to rotate players, the Power had some outstanding individual efforts. James Blaser dominated in defence and continually backed his judgment to run and set up play. Ben Hughes took countless strong contested marks and when not kicking goals himself set up other with heady play. Jaymie Youle was the only state player to return and he was instrumental in directing the positive style of direct play for the side. Tom Johnson controlled "traffic" in defence like a wily veteran and took many telling marks when the pressure was on. Forward Brent Macaffer was a potent target as well as enjoying the chance to run on the ball during the game.
Morwell youngsters Rob Michaelides and Brent Connelly showed that they were on a sharp learning curve and more than held their own throughout the game. Kane Martin adds important "grunt" in the midfield as well doing magical things to finish off play while Tyson Goldsack was impressive on the ball and up forward. Jackson Hall was able to contribute to the team with some heady play and it augurs well for the coming weeks to have so many doing so well.
The Power now take on the Stingrays and will be keen to avenge their first round loss. The state player will all be back and Paul and his selection panel now face the enviable task of selecting a team from about 28 boys who are all in form and proven at TAC Cup level. He'll be ecstatic that the youngsters have stepped up so manfully in recent weeks and will face a wealth of riches for the Stingrays game. No matter who wins the lottery, he will know that they will give their all and follow the game plan to the letter.
Whilst mentioning the state players, the Power now has six more to wear the coveted "big V" with Nick Heyne (Orbost), Darren White and Jarrod Raun (Traralgon), Jared Risol (Newborough), Brenton Rathnow (Maffra) and Tom Crosby (Hill End) all going to Brisbane with the state under 16's at the end of the month. It's no wonder that the club is starting to get excited about the short and long term prospects of the side.
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 12:15