Gippsland Power - Media Release
By Bryan Mitchell
Gippsland Power's progress in the 2007 TAC Cup season hit a speed bump last weekend when they lost narrowly to the competitions form team the Murray Bushrangers. When initially looking at the scores of the game it would be easy to assume that the Power were unlucky to go down by only two points but this would be wrong in two important ways. Firstly it would be disrespectful of the Bushies skill, endeavour and commitment to come from well behind when the Power seemingly had the game by the throat. More importantly it would also gloss over the flaws in the game that the Power played on the day and they need to be fully aware of these issues if they are to have any success in the business end of the season.
Conditions at MC Labour Park were tricky with a strong gusty wind blowing and both sides struggled to convert their scoring opportunities early in the game. The Power opened the goal scoring when Brent Connelly found Jackson Hall who had snuck down forward on one of his regular attacking runs. Beau Vernon and Chris Endres then conjured up some South Gippsland magic to inspire some more scoring opportunities only to see sloppy finishing waste these hard-won chances.
Jaryd Blair gave Michael Stockdale an immediate chance to make up for one such error and the Power were finally getting cohesion into their game.
Murray hit back straight away to let the Power know they had to keep working Luke Webber, Rob Michaelides and Connelly then set up another for the Power and they were creating scoring chances due to excellent pressure, especially on the forward line. Once again the Murray side rallied and made the Power pay for poor decision making and skill execution and by the first change the Power lead was 13 points which wasn't enough considering the chances that they had created.
Webber opened the scoring for the Power early in the second term with a clever goal that he created from half a chance and the boys were applying great pressure all over the field. A good tap-out by Connelly put the ball in Vernon's hands and he then used strength and skill to break free and kick another for the team. Instead of capitalising on their hard work the Power defence was exposed by some poor manning up and Murray were back in the hunt. Haelen Kay's front and centre positioning allowed him for an easy major and the Power had extended their lead to 23 points by the long break.
Although both sides were inaccurate in the first half, it was the Power who seemingly held the initiative. Adrian Hickmott urged the boys to realise that they had only done half a job and that they needed to keep up their strong work ethic in the second half. The Bushrangers opened the scoring early in the term after the Power turned the ball over with poor options and dodgy skills. They tried to hit back but were missing gettable shots on goal and the Bushies sniffed that they were still right in the game.
More poor defence by the Power gave Murray another easy goal and the work-rate of the Power had dropped off notably. It took 19 minutes of play before some good running and vision by Vernon, Kay and Dan McKenna gave the Power a goal. However they were conceding soft opportunities to the Bushies and were lucky that they missed easy goals. By the last change the Power led by 15 points but it was obvious that Murray had the initiative and that the Power had dropped off in application and intensity.
This perception was reinforced when Murray kicked the first of the last term after another turnover due to a lack of talk and awareness by the Power. This started a goal rush by the Bushies as they punished more insipid defence on the goal line when ineffectual efforts allowed contests to continue instead of being killed with strong and decisive action. The Power had lost their composure as well as the lead and looked likely to be over-run by the now rampaging Murray team.
To their credit, the Power began to lift their work rate and shake off the appearance that they were a disorganised rabble. Late in the term Nick Heyne kicked a goal after crumbing off a pack and then Andrew Oldmeadow kicked another courtesy of a deserved free kick. Finally the Power had their game going again but it proved to be far too little too late.
Final scores, Murray Bushrangers 10 goals 19 behinds 79 points defeated Gippsland Power 10 goals 17 behinds 77 points. Goal kickers Jackson Hall, Chris Endres, Michael Stockdale, Brent Connelly, Luke Webber, Beau Vernon, Haelen Kay, Dan McKenna, Nick Heyne and Andrew Oldmeadow 1 each.
When his fellow defenders were cracking under pressure Jackson Hall kept his cool to nullify his opponent as well as winning and using his many possessions with skill, purpose and poise. On-baller James Blaser worked hard all day to win the ball but found it increasingly harder to hit targets when team mates stopped working to present options for him. Classy mid-fielder Haelen Kay was another to win the ball well but he too had some of his impact dulled when he had fewer chances to hurt the Bushies with his long, penetrating kicking.
Young defender Darren White was another to stand tall when the Bushies were charging hard and consistently beat his opponent and then worked to create and avenue to attack. On-baller Darren Granger relished the in and under work and used his courage and strength to telling effect to get clear and use the ball positively. Rob Michaelides again showed unique composure in close quarters and was able to generate a lot of drive with his vision and skill. On-ballers Jaryd Blair and Michael Stockdale both worked hard to accumulate their many possessions then tried to use them with their skills and clever reading of the play.
It really was a game of two halves and served notice for the Power that they should take nothing for granted no matter what the scenario during the game. Some might say that it was a game that the Power could and should have won and that it's not time to panic. There is an element of truth in that summation but deeper analysis will paint a more serious picture from the result.
In effect the Power were outplayed by a good side in form but it was their response to the Murray charge was what raised doubts about their resolve. They really lost their composure when under pressure and it took them too long to get back to basics once they lost the initiative. Murray scored at least four goals from feeble attempts to punch the ball through on the goal line and this was all that the Bushies needed to take the game. Add this to the easy goals that they missed and it's not hard to see that they did blow a great chance to gain an edge over a side that will be playing a major part in the finals action.
Adrian and his fellow coaches will have a lot to address from this effort and it will only matter if they are unable to eliminate the fade out in the coming weeks. Yes it was a critical wake-up call for the Power but the deeper signs are of concern as it again highlighted the side's inability to play four quarters of football. Up until this game they have repeatedly got away with less than 100% application but in finals this will result in disappointment and ultimately frustration.
They have shown all year that when on song they are a brilliant side, but you only have to look at the 2006 Power team to see how lapses in application can cost a team a shot at a winnable premiership. Hopefully the boys will learn the lesson now and use the final three games of the season to eliminate the lapses and fine tune their game to what's need to be competitive in finals.
The boys have the final bye of the season this week and then will prepare for three games on the road to finish off the regular season matches. Their next game is another serious challenge as they will face the Eastern Ranges at Box Hill. Eastern have also hit form at the right end of the season and are well placed to exploit any slackness in application by the Power. They will be looking for another high profile scalp and were on-hand to see the Power's efforts last week and will be planning to do the same as the Bushies. Adrian will be ready for this and he will ensure that they are better prepared to meet the challenges coming up in the next few weeks.
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 14:18