By JARROD POTTER
TAC CUP – Round 3
HUMBLED out of their second home match this season, Gippsland Power was ripped apart after quarter-time by the fleet footed Murray Bushrangers.
The same side that tore shreds out of Dandenong last Saturday was left at the behest of the Bushrangers – allowing six goals against them in the final term.
The run-and-carry that defined Gippsland’s stellar performance in Round 2 was left begging this week as Murray controlled the tempo and dictated every aspect after quarter-time.
A four-point margin at the first break would be the last time Gippsland neared the lead as Murray exploded through the second stanza.
Power coach Leigh Brown implored his charges to get back to the basics – focus on structure and apply pressure – but had few players take that message to heart.
Gippsland’s avenues to goal were few and far between and with a pair of significant midfield outs – AFL Academy duo Sam Skinner and Josh Dunkley – the Power was switched off through the centre.
Kicking with an extremely wayward boot, 14 behinds didn’t help the Power cause as they sprayed five behinds and no goals in the final term to walk off the field dejected as well as defeated.
ROC’s Matt de Bruin and Morwell’s Ben Ainsworth (two goals each) led the Power performance while Christian Buykx-Smith and Deven Costigan featured in the best.
Gippsland will hope to bounce back and put its second win of the season on the board when it faces Geelong Falcons on Saturday at Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval.
TAC CUP – Round 3
Gippsland Power 2.4 4.7 7.9 7.14 (56)
Murray Bushrangers 3.2 8.5 9.8 15.11 (101)
GIPPSLAND Goals: M. De Bruin 2, B. Ainsworth 2, T. Marsh, N. Holmes, J. Patullo. Best: C. Buykx-Smith, D. Costigan, B. Dessent, T. Marsh, B. Ainsworth, C. Ambler.
MURRAY Goals: J. Simpkin 3, J. Minogue 2, K. Galloway 2, L. Middleton 2, W. Brodie 2, L. McKeown, T. McMullan, M. Waite, J. Marshall. Best: J. Minogue, W. Brodie, J. Marshall, J. Simpkin, N. Coughlan, L. Tiziani.
