By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE Gippsland Power’s young under-18’s charges went into their do-or-die elimination final with the Northern Knights on Sunday determined to pull through against all odds as a united group.
But while the togetherness and camaraderie of the side could never be questioned, its firepower on the weekend could, as the Power ended its season with a 15.17 (107) to 7.7 (49) loss.
The Gippsland side was at a disadvantage even before the opening bounce, with injury forcing arguably its four biggest stars – versatile Warragul big man Tom Muir, Josh Scott, tough-as-nails Ellinbank on-baller Nate Paredes and Declan Keilty – to sit out the biggest game of the year.
The Knights – at virtually full strength – took the early initiative and would have enjoyed a commanding lead at the first change if not for some wayward shots on goal. But the Power soon put the clamps on to trail by just nine points at the first change.
The second quarter saw a combination of Gippsland errors and contentious umpiring decisions combine to dampen the spirits of the Power boys, who entered the main break 28-points in arrears.
Some costly defensive lapses in the third term, and some more head-scratching officiating, saw the Knights more than five goals up at the final change. Power coach Nick Stevens wouldn’t make excuses for the deficit, but the Knights – his own former under-18 side – had 14 more free kicks to their tally than Gippsland at that stage.
But showing that typical Gippsland grit and determination, the Power fought back in the last to show just what it’s capable of when firing on all cylinders. Aaron Heppell and Liam Nash both slotted classy goals, while Jordan Cunico and Alex Carr each finished with two for the match.
Gippsland junior football father-figure Peter Francis, and Stevens spoke to the outgoing playing group, their parents and families and the team’s staff after the match and highlighted the positive and team-first mentality that had been the hallmarks of the side during the 2013 TAC Cup season. They mentioned how well the boys had taken on the challenges involved after the late season injuries robbed them of so many key players at the wrong time of the year.
The match also doubled as the last in Gippsland colours for beloved head trainer Bobbie Lee Blay after 18 years on the Power sidelines.
Bobbie, who also holds a role at Melbourne in the AFL, was a pioneer as one of the first females to work in clubland in the TAC Cup competition.
Since its humble beginnings, the Power has seen over 80 players drafted into the AFL and Bobbie has played a part in developing that talent both on-field and off. Her friendly demeanour and lightning-fast ankle taping skills will be sorely missed around the Morwell-based club.
NORTHERN KNIGHTS
2.6 7.8 9.13 15.17 (107)
GIPPSLAND POWER
1.3 3.4 5.6 7.7 (49)
NORTHERN KNIGHTS GOALS: B. Lennon 3, J. Kalanj 2, K. Langford 2, C. Porter, J. Smith, L. Bowkett, J. Short, C. Bromley, J. Turner, M. Bontempelli, S. Peet.
BEST: W. Murphy, B. Lennon, J. Iacobaccio, J. Turner, S. Switkowski, J. Kalanj.
GIPPSLAND GOALS: J. Cunico 2, A. Carr 2, A. Heppell, L. Nash, A. Saunders.
BEST: J. Cashman, M. Mustoe, A. Heppell, C. Buykx-Smith, L. Channing, A. Saunders.
