Gippsland Power Media Release
By Bryan Mitchell
The 2007 TAC Cup season came to an abrupt end for Gippsland Power when they when they were comprehensively beaten by the North Ballarat Rebels. The Power's form had tapered off noticeably late in the season and despite having twice beaten the Rebels clearly during the regular season, they went into the cut-throat final as underdogs. Conditions at MC Labour park were ideal for football and it was the Rebels who opened the scoring after applying good pressure on the Power backmen. The Power responded with a true rover's goal by Michael Stockdale but, although they were playing smarter football than in recent weeks, they were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard.
It was the Rebels who were finishing better and they scored two majors on the rebound as a result of some slack manning up by the Power through the midfield as well as in defence. The Power were attacking hard but poor quality disposals in the forward line inevitably created turnovers which the Rebels expertly converted to goals. By the first change they led by 12 points but were making the Power look second rate.
If the first term was poor then the second term was deplorable as the Power sat back and watched the Rebels take complete control of the game. Accountability was non-existent as the Rebels exploited poor decision making and skill execution by the Power. With so much at stake it was a pitiful effort as most of the experienced Power players went missing when they were needed most. The Rebels kicked five unanswered goals to humiliate the Power and it took until the 26 minute mark of the term for Darren Granger to set Haelen Kay up with their only goal for the quarter. By the long break the lead was 36 points but the game was effectively over as a contest.
Adrian Hickmott delivered a well deserved and withering address that highlighted the lack of passion, pride and respect that they played with in the first half. He through down a challenge in no uncertain terms to try to salvage something from the `train wreck" it looked as if his subtle message had sunk home early in the third term as a new forward structure had Kay one out and some long penetrating forward thrust from Beau Vernon gave Kay a vital goal. They were taking risks and getting the results as Nick Heyne scored their second as a result of a 50 metre penalty. Some slack manning up let the Rebels in for a vital reply but the Power lifted and Granger, Vernon and Connelly linked up for another goal.
The Power again lifted their intensity and Jaryd Blair, Nick Stockdale combined for Kay's second of the quarter. As if this wasn't enough, Kay took a strong mark on the boundary line and 50 metres out and coolly converted as the siren sounded. They now trailed by 16 points and seemingly had the Rebels on the backfoot. Their whole season now rested on the next 30 minutes and it appeared as if they were in the right frame of mind to give it a real crack.
Early in the last term both sides lifted their work rates and there was pressure on every contest. Once again the Power were making critical skill errors when in scoring positions and it appeared as if they were running out of legs as the effort of the third term began to have an impact. The Rebels steadied and after 9 tough minutes broke the deadlock. The Power kept trying but it was game over as the Rebels scored three more goals late.
Final scores North Ballarat Rebels 13 goals 10 behinds 88 points defeated Gippsland Power 6 goals 9 behinds 45 points. Goal kickers Helen Kay 4, Nick Heyne and Michael Stockdale 1.
On-baller James Blaser worked tirelessly throughout the game to win the hard ball and then created run with his willingness to take opponents on. His ability to push through physical and mental barriers was inspirational. Captain Jackson Hall was another to give 100% and he once again pushed himself to the limit to win the ball and then use it with purpose and poise. Ruck man Brent Connelly was another to push through his comfort zone by working hard at clearances as well as running hard to create a viable marking option all over the ground. Classy on-baller Rob Michaelides was at his best in the tight situations where his vision and skill enabled him to create many opportunities for team mates.
Clever forward Chris Endres again demonstrated his full array of tricks with a creative and strong game in the forward fifty. His ability to keep the ball in the attacking area was a highlight. Although restricted by injury, Beau Vernon's class and hardness was in full evidence as he pushed hard all day to win and use the ball to the team's advantage. Haelen Kay's aerial skills and long and accurate kicking were important in the third term and highlighted the potential he has to go to the next level. Ashley Payne's efforts were also worthy of note as he again used his strength and aerial skills to full advantage in defence.
It was a surreal atmosphere in the rooms at the end of the game as Peter Francis spoke to the boys and their parents. The realisation began to hit home for the top age boys that their TAC Cup careers were over and a new stage of their football lives was about to end. Player like Beau Vernon had spent 5 years in the Power program and suddenly it was all over. This is the unique nature of the competition but the emotion shown by some of the boy's highlights what happens when they realise that it's all over.
2007 has been an odd journey for the Power. They had exceeded expectations of the staff in terms of their win-loss ratio and had then raised hopes when they strung together some excellent passages of play. Sadly they were never able to do this for 4 quarters and this left room for their opponents to get back into games. It will be a feeling of what if for many of the boys but they justifiably should have pride in their seasons work. For the boys still in the program it's time to have a break and then get back to work to address the deficiencies of 2007. They represent an exciting core of talented players to which many promising bottom-agers can be added. All at the club are enthused by the potential that the 2008 group represents and can start the preparations for next year with well placed optimism.
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 14:47