Gippsland Power Media Release
By Bryan Mitchell
Gippsland Power took a giant step towards a positive finish to the 2006 TAC Cup season when they took on the in-form Calder Cannons and recorded a strong and convincing victory. After a slow start to their season, the Cannons had regrouped and become on of the best teams in the competition culminating with a well deserved third position on the ladder. The Power had been inconsistent but on their day had shown that they had what it takes to have a significant influence at the end of the year. Given this scenario both teams were eagerly looking forward to the game and few who were at the match would have been disappointed with the game that resulted.
The Power had the first on the board from the opening bounce as Brent Macaffer goaled. They kept the pressure on and Ben Ross capitalised well before Ben Hughes found Lachlan Hansen who had snuck down forward from the backline and the warning sirens were sounding for the Cannons. They steadied and goaled to signify that they were in the game and the Power then lost their bearings as they began to squander many good opportunities with some poor finishing. Macaffer stopped the rot with a clever goal and the Power went into the first change 20 points up when in fact, they should have been at least 6 goals up based on their dominance of play.
One would expect that a good side like the Cannons would rally in such circumstances and they responded on cue. They were back in the game with the first two of the term and suddenly the Power's wasted opportunities in the first term were coming back to haunt them. Some vision and skill from Rob Michaelides set up Ross to give the Power breathing space. Instead of going on with it, the Power then were on the back foot again as the Cannons capitalised on some costly turnovers to reduce the margin to 3 points at the long break.
It was very much game on at the start of the third quarter and the Cannons took the early initiative to have two on the board and, importantly, they had the Power struggling to get their game going. Ross replied for the Power to stem the "flood" but the Cannons answered immediately to restore their lead. Importantly the Power began to use the ball better and Macaffer was on the end of two positive passages of team play that resulted in majors. Inspired, Ash Payne created another with some disciplined play on the mark and the pendulum had swung back in favour of the Power. The Cannons were not done with and punished some shoddy defence to regain the lead late in the term. Tellingly the Power persisted and, with better teamwork, set up Macaffer and then Ross to be 9 points up with a quarter to go.
In terms of the 2006 season, the final stanza was pivotal for both sides. It was a crucial pressure game and it was very tight football in the opening minutes of the term. Kane Martin broke the deadlock with a strong mark and the pressure was on the Cannons to respond. As you would expect of a top side, they hit back hard with two goals in a row and there was less than a kick in it. Some typically strong work by Tristram Francis allowed Michaelides to give the Power breathing space before a dashing run by James Blaser off the wing put the Power in the driving seat. Once again the Cannons lifted but this was their last gasp as the Power lifted their work rates to take control of the game. Michaelides created some magic to snap another form nothing and then sealed the game with another running goal. Fittingly hard working forward Ben Hughes kicked another and the Power had weathered a considerable storm to emerge victorious by 27 points.
Final scores Gippsland Power 17 goals 12 behinds 114 points defeated Calder Cannons 13 goals 9 behinds 87 points. Goal kickers Brent Macaffer 5, Ben Ross 4, Rob Michaelides 3, Lachlan Hansen, Ash Payne, James Blaser, Kane Martin and Ben Hughes 1.
Since moving up the ground in recent games, James Balser has become a key play maker for the side with his excellent decision making, strength and run. On the ball Tyson Goldsack's skill and agility allow him to win many possessions as well as being a constant aerial threat with his prodigious leap. Brent Macaffer kicked his fiftieth major for the season but had over 20 possessions and 10 marks to show that he had more to offer than just kicking goals.
Despite being closely marked Ricky Delphine kept working hard and used most of his 37 possessions with purpose and precision. Michael Todd was at his bustling best with another dashing display in defence. He was rarely outplayed and created lots of run with his willingness to back himself. Rob Michaelides showed that he is on a steep learning curve at TAC Cup level and was vital to the sides win with his uncanny skills and reading of the play. Once again Ben Hughes did a power of work at centre-half forward winning many contested possessions as well as applying massive pressure in the pack situations.
Defenders Tom Johnson, Jeff Ryan and Joel Morgan were under pressure throughout the game but stood tall and managed to keep creating run for the side with their strength and disciplined play. Kane Martin came off the bench and made a significant impact up forward when given his opportunity.
Given the scenario Paul Hudson and his assistants were justifiably pleased with the result especially when they were challenged so strongly and consistently throughout the game. They kept bouncing against quality opposition and, when it was crunch time, it was team oriented football that proved to be telling factor. Yes there were still errors that need to be addressed but importantly they kept coming despite being under scoreboard pressure and played the sort of disciplined football needed in finals.
The boys have a bye next week before entering the "home straight" with their last three games of the season. Local clubs will get their boys back for what could be the last time for the year and then it will be time to focus on the bigger picture for the rest of the season.
Their next challenge will be the Western Jets at Williamstown and it's likely that Dan McKenna, Shane MacIntosh and the "forgotten man" Beau Vernon will be the selection mix. Paul would be rapt to have so many in-form players available and especially pleased to see the "youngsters" such as Blaser, Todd and Michaelides not only contributing but being key players at the business end of the season.
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 12:18