By Hayley Wildes
With one round left to play in the home and away season, Gippsland Power locked in a second-placed finish with a strong win over the Murray Bushrangers in Ballarat on Saturday morning.
In wintry conditions for the ‘country triple-header’ at MARS Stadium, the Power stamped its authority on the match early by holding the Bushrangers scoreless in the opening term, while majors to Fraser Phillips and Noah Gown had Gippsland’s scoreboard ticking over.
When Gown dribbled through his third goal of the game – off a single step from 55 metres out on the boundary – at the 14-minute mark of the second term, the Power held a commanding 29-1 lead.
Having key targets in the forward 50 was paying dividends for the Power, but not to be outdone, its defence was just as imposing.
With Brock Smith and Kyle Reid anchoring the defensive unit, Gippsland worked furiously to get the ball going forward after intercepting in the back half.
Murray finally broke its drought when Zane Barzen (three goals) booted a major in the 18th minute of the term and at half-time Gippsland’s lead was 22 points.
Riley Baldi’s presence through the midfield was undeniable, while the likes of Boadie Motton and Bailey Patterson were busy around the ground.
The third term saw an improved Murray effort as the Bushrangers whittled Gippsland’s lead down to 16 points at the final change. Classy third-quarter goals to Austin Hodge and Harrison Pepper ensured the Power kept their opponents at bay, despite the Bushrangers making a charge.
With the game in the balance and neither team able to find a goal, it was Power captain Xavier Duursma who stopped the rot and dribbled through the sealer after beautifully crumbing the pack and evading a tackler just above the goal square.
Motton’s fine game was finished off in style with a late goal as the Power claimed a hard-fought win, 9.13 (67) to 5.8 (38).
Riley Baldi was impressive all day in a best on ground performance, while Noah Gown’s incredible recent run of form continued with another three goals.
Over his last four games, Gown has kicked 15 goals and his ability to out-mark and outwork his opponents in one-on-one contests makes him a tantalising prospect.
Bailey Patterson, Tye Hourigan and Brock Smith also played pivotal roles as the Power claimed its 11th win of the season and fifth on the trot.
In its final game of the home and away season, the Power hosts the Eastern Ranges at Morwell Recreation Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
