By JARROD POTTER
TAC CUP – ROUND 11
EVERYTHING is linking up for Gippsland after another determined four-quarter performance … but this timeit generated a confidence boosting win.
After an impressive outing in defeat against Dandenong last week, the Power carried its form into Saturday’s 43-point triumph over the Jets.
Pressure at the coalface was needed and the Power toiled throughout the day to clamp down on the visitors.
Living up to the best ideals of Gippy footy – getting in and under and staying strong in the contest – the Power showed there’s life yet in the side despite what its 2-9 record would suggest.
From a match in the balance at the half – as Gippsland led by only three points – to a win emphatically claimed with a dozen majors after the break, the Power flicked a switch and didn’t look back in its 17.10 (112) to 10.9 (69) win.
Callum Porter continued to play out of his skin and well above the station set for an under-age player in the TAC Cup. No Jet got past the Officer hard-nut without a strong tackle laid or just having the ball stripped away against their will and booted into the Power’s forward-half.
Once up forward, the likes of Cora Lynn’s Jai Rout (five goals), Will Stephenson and Deven Costigan (three goals each) stole the show and any hopes for the visitors’ victory.
Josh Patullo (two goals) made the most of his week back from the VFL and jagged a couple as well to give the Power plenty of options in the rampaging run home.
Across the board it was a result charged by the entire squad, the big standout for the coach after a couple of rough months to start the year.
“Our pressure was the thing that really stood out,” Gippsland coach Leigh Brown said. “Pressure and an even contribution from all 23 guys and that put us in a really good position.
“After half time we really put the foot down; had a really good third quarter which set it up.
“It was good to convert some shots and get a score on the board and for the boys to play with that intensity and that level of commitment for four quarters.”
Brown praised Porter for yet another starring role in the centre as the 180cm Kangaroo continues to smash through all opposing lines.
“Cal Porter really led the way yesterday and was very good,” Brown said. “Again he was excellent through the midfield and got a truckload of tackles and won a truckload of clearances so those bottom-agers through the middle of the ground again have been fantastic.”
Brown was also impressed with Rout – not only with the ball in his hand as he lined up and snapped truly from all parts – but also with his tackling pressure and ability to contain the Jets’ defence on the way back.
It was a credit to Rout’s ability to work hard in the EDFL and earn his ticket back to the big show after a month-long absence from TAC Cup.
“He’s had a really good month Jai,” Brown said. “He’s doing really well and it has come back to his work rate and putting pressure on the opposition and that’s creating more opportunities for him to get the ball and hit the scoreboard as well.
“He just wasn’t having an impact (when he was dropped) – the work rate wasn’t to a level we needed it to be and we needed more from a player who was a top-ager.
“So he went back, worked hard and got back in has been doing all the things that we know he can do.
“It all stems to his work rate, pressure and ability to defend when he doesn’t have the ball.”
Gippsland hosts Oakleigh on Saturday afternoon from 1pm as the side looks to thread another strong showing onto its impressive spree of winter success.
“We talked about that after the game – you can build your momentum over numerous weeks and not only by just getting wins, but the way you attack the game and we certainly did that against Dandenong last week and we set the scene and that flowed over to training during the week and the game yesterday,” Brown said. “The vibe around the club hasn’t wavered – and it’s always the same win, lose or draw – so that’s been the most pleasing thing and we’ll see how we go.”
TAC CUP SCOREBOARD
GIPPSLAND POWER 2.3 5.8 11.9 17.10 (112)
WESTERN JETS 2.4 5.5 7.7 10.9 (69)
GIPPSLAND Goals: J. Rout 5, W. Stephenson 3, D. Costigan 3, J. Patullo 2, A. Hodge, W. Leslie, T. Armour, C. McKeon. Best: C. Porter, K. Renooy, J. Rout, K. Jones, W. Leslie, D. Costigan.
WESTERN Goals: O. Junker 2, S. Syme 2, M. Nicholls, J. Dundon, F. Campisi, J. Cotter, B. Graham, B. Parkinson. Best: O. Junker, D. Foley, N. Giarrizzo, F. Campisi, J. Dundon, L. Hitch.
