By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE Gippsland Power entered its clash with the Sandringham Dragons on Saturday without its biggest star.
Josh Scott, the form key forward of the TAC Cup competition, was away on state duties but Gippsland countered his absence with one of the side’s most impressive all-around performances of the season, defeating the Dragons by 29 points – 15.9 (99) to 10.10 (70).
The Power took another body blow shortly before the game with the late withdrawal of Bohdi Walker. But Ash Di Ciero took his place and proved instrumental, finishing with three majors atop the Power’s goal-kicking tally.
In a match that was highlighted by fierce battles all over the ground, the Power took control early and never relinquished it. But to the Dragons’ credit, they applied excellent one-on-one pressure, forcing the Power players to stretch their limits.
The Power wasted hard-won scoring opportunities early and the Dragons punished them for some questionable defence efforts. But Di Ciero and Alex Carr combined to set up Declan Keilty for a momentum-changing Power goal before excellent forward pressure by Jake Thomas and Aaron Heppell saw Lachie Channing give the side a five-point lead at the first break.
Power coach Nick Stevens used the early going to set new challenges for some of the charges, and was pleased with their response.
Gippsland entered the main change 25-points up on the back of some outstanding midfield work from Garfield young gun Eddie Morris, who made his presence felt in the second term.
The Power started the third quarter with a real purpose, but some patchy defence allowed a pair of soft goals for the Dragons as they edged closer.
The Gippsland boys were then forced to up their work-rate and lifted accordingly – the sign of a quality outfit.
Despite the Power getting out of jail, its 31-point buffer to start the final term was far from an insurmountable one. Though it looked like Gippsland’s midfield – led by Morris and Ellinbank’s Nate Paredes – could answer any question the Dragons posed.
The Power grabbed the early initiative in the final quarter but the Dragons put the clamps on soon after, keeping the home side goalless for around half the quarter. Sandringham briefly took advantage – slotting consecutive goals and breathing life into the contest with just 10 minutes remaining.
But with the game in the balance, Morris and Channing combined cleverly and Liam Nash finished their good work off on the run. As if inspired, Carr then went long and Nathan Dennison took advantage of it to set up Brenton Rees for a fine running goal off the resultant pack. Late in the term, the Dragons received a welcome gift through a questionable umpiring decision but the Power then applied more intense pressure – fittingly capped off by man-of-the-moment Morris slotting the final goal of the match.
GIPPSLAND POWER
3.1 7.5 11.7 15.9 (99)
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS
2.2 3.4 6.6 10.10 (70)
Gippsland Power Goals: A. Di Ciero 3, L. Channing 2, N. Dennison 2, A. Carr, E. Morris, N. Paredes, A. Saunders, B. Rees, L. Nash, D. Keilty, R. Hildebrand. Best: E. Morris, A. Carr, L. Nash, D. Keilty, A. Heppell, N. Paredes.
Sandringham Dragons’ Goals: B. Maynard 3, L. Howes, E. Le Grice, J. Gabron-Uhe, J. Clayton, T. Grace, T. Wilkinson, J. Grange. Best: E. Le Grice, A. Brayshaw, T. Grace, J. Gabron-Uhe, B. Maynard, L. Howes.
