Gippsland Power - Media Release
By Bryan Mitchell
Gippsland Power travelled to Oakleigh last week to take on the Chargers, the team that ended their premiership dream in 2006. As happens in the TAC Cup neither side bore much resemblance to the units that played that day but the desire to do well against each other was no less strong. The Chargers were without many of their key players due to school commitments whilst the Power had Jaryd Risol back from Caulfield Grammar but lost Luke Webber to an intrastate under 23 squad and still had top players missing due to injury. The result of all this was that both sides needed contributions from all players and it was the Power who dug deepest on the day.
The wind was going to be a factor all day and it seemed to favour the Eastern end of the ground. Oakeligh opened the scoring with a major and the Power were wasting their scoring hard-won opportunities with poor finishing. They were missing gettable shots and to cap it off Tristran Francis was out of the game mid way through the term. His unique ability to attack the ball has been pivotal in the sides good performances all season. Chris Endres stopped the rot after some good team play and then Andrew Pertou capped off a long, direct forward thrust by Jackson Hall. Petrou bobbed up again with a strong mark and it looked as if the Power were going to seize the initiative. The Chargers had other ideas and punished some indecisive Power defence with two vital goals. Rob Michaelides scored a timely goal late and the Power led by 8 points but knew that they were in for a battle.
Seemingly the Power were kicking with the wind but it was the Chargers who came out ready to play and the Power were struggling to cope with the speed and endeavour of their opponents. They were making fundamental skill and decision making errors and Oakleigh was able to score four unanswered goals throughout the term. By the long change the Power trailed by 16 points and had lost the initiative as a result of the Chargers willingness to back themselves and run at all costs.
Adrian Hickmott and his assistants re-jigged the side and stressed the need to use the ball with purpose and be accountable all over the ground.
The fastest 18 players at the coaches disposal opened the term for the Power and they were immediately in control although they were scoring points instead of goals. Once again Petrou was standing tall and it was the Power who were applying the pressure. Sam Kater and James Bristow combined to kick another and then Michael Stockdale and Petrou combined with vision and skill to set up Will Kelly for his first. Endres then earned a free kick which he converted before some more vision and purpose allowed Bristow to kick his second for the term. It was "red time" and, as if on cue, the Power allowed the Chargers to get two soft goals and allow them back in the game.
Importantly some Michaelides magic gave Kater a major and then Dean Woodhead and Brent Connelly struck a blow for big gangly blokes with some clever footwork and delicate skills. By the long break, the Power had turned things around and led by 19 points but knew full well that the Chargers were kicking to the Warrigal Rd end of the ground which was protected form the wind by the Bob Johnson grandstand.
This scenario was very similar to that of the 2006 when the Chargers swamped the Power after they had gone into the last term with a narrow lead. The sense of deja vu was even stronger when the Chargers began to do just that and they once again exploited some soft defence when they caught the Power out on the rebound. Darren Granger replied courtesy some hard work by Michaelides and James Blaser and it seemed as if the Power had all the answers. Oakeligh asked some more difficult questions and the Power were again on the back foot, unable to respond to the increase in pressure being applied. Blaser and Petrou then set up Stockdale for a much needed bit of breathing space only to see the Chargers dig deep again in red time. However, when it mattered most it was the Power who held their nerve and emerged victorious.
Final scores Gippsland Power 13 goals 19 behinds 97 points defeated Oakleigh Chargers 13 goals 10 behinds 88 points. Goal kickers, Andrew Petrou 3, Chris Endres and James Bristow 2, Rob Michaelides, Will Kelly, Sam Kater, Darren Granger, Michael Stockdale AND Brent Connelly 1.
Nick Heyne has been brilliant for the Power all season and once again led the way with a superb display that perfectly showcased his pace, aerial skills and long kicking. On-baller Michael Stockdale is another "bottom-ager" who has stepped up manfully this season. He too wins the hard ball with ease and then works with great determination to use to his teams advantage. Haelen Kay has made every post a winner in 2007 and was again important to the side as a disciplined defender as well as a vital contributor to the teams running play.
James Blaser has picked up countless possessions all season but importantly used the ball with far greater purpose in the thick of the action. The ultra consistent Jackson Hall has taken his game to another level in 2007 and was again a critical contributor in defence and the midfield. Sam Nickless has been important for the side recently with his strength and determination in the rucking duels. He capped his game off with some excellent work around the ground.
It's taken James Bristow a long time to get back his game touch after a serious injury but he displayed great versatility and endeavour when under pressure at both ends of the game. Fellow "tall" Andrew Petrou is another on a steep learning curve and he showed that he has a lot to offer as a finisher as well as having the delicate skills to set up others.
The Powers next challenge will be take on the high flying Northern Knights at Morwell. The Knights have been excellent so far in 2007 and will really test any deficiencies in the Powers game plan and level of application. With a bit of luck injured players Nick Stockdale, Michael Todd, Tristran Francis will be available and Luke Webber will be back from representative duties. With such an arsenal at their disposal the selectors will be working hard to select the right squad to attack the Knights and to further refine the sort of game suited to the abundant skills and endeavour that is represented in the squad.
They are still on a steep learning curve and the coming weeks will really test their mettle under intense pressure. However, from what they have shown already in 2007, there is plenty of scope for optimism tat they will be making a significant contribution at the business end of the TAC Cup season. They still haven't strung together four consistent quarters of their best football but are going OK and are raising growing hopes that they are a good chance of being something special.
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 14:11