Relentless Power into prelim

Gippsland coach Leigh Brown has led his team to a TAC Cup preliminary final. 181554 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

By Hayley Wildes

In a season that continues to exceed all expectations, the Gippsland Power boys now find themselves just one win away from the TAC Cup grand final after defeating the Geelong Falcons in an elimination final at IKON Park on Saturday afternoon.

After jumping out of the blocks, it took an inspired fourth-quarter effort for the Power to get over the line as the Falcons asked plenty of questions through the middle two quarters.

The Power got off to a perfect start when Josh Smith converted a tough set shot from 40 metres out in the third minute, and a minute later Irving Mosquito crumbed a pack in the goal square and snapped truly.

With the game on its terms, Gippsland continued to pile on the pain as Ryan Henkel and Leo Connolly goaled to have the Power 24 points up after just eight minutes of play.

Geelong settled and fought its way back in the second half of the quarter, but a Josh Smith goal on the siren after a massive contested mark against three Falcon opponents had the Power feeling good at quarter-time.

Captain Xavier Duursma opened second-quarter scoring with a set shot from 50 metres out, before the Falcons responded with two goals.

Perhaps the highlight of the quarter was an inspiring desperation play from Harrison Pepper. Against two opponents, Pepper simply wouldn’t be denied, using second and third efforts to win a holding the ball free kick and almost kick a goal from a tight angle.

The Power owned a 20-point half time lead, 8.3 (51) to 4.7 (31).

Warragul’s Noah Gown was a huge presence; not just in the forward line, but pushing high up the ground to provide a marking target down the line, meanwhile Nar Nar Goon’s Bailey Beck was running riot on the wing.

The third quarter was when an already enthralling battle went up another notch; it was fierce, contested and a complete arm-wrestle.

Neither team was able to break through for the goal they so desperately craved, until Geelong’s Brayden Ham converted a long set shot after eight minutes. It set the Falcons alight as they suddenly found more room to run and create.

At the final break, Gippsland held a slender eight-point lead. With a preliminary final berth on the line, Leigh Brown’s boys needed to respond.

They did just that.

Gown started the final term in the ruck and excitement-machine Mosquito was thrust into the middle – moves that quickly turned into coaching masterstrokes from Brown as the pair connected to move the ball forward, where Caleb Serong marked strongly in the goal square and goaled after just one minute of play.

It was the start of a special quarter for Gippsland.

Pepper, having already delivered the highlight play of the game, produced the goal of the game in the fourth quarter.

With Geelong looking to move the ball out of their back half, Pepper intercepted a handball 60 metres from goal, turned on the afterburners and slotted a beautiful running goal from 45 metres.

Gippsland’s relentless pressure and work rate proved too much for Geelong, running out 13.10 (88) to 7.11 (53) winners.

Beck starred for Gippsland in a game that showcased his running power and willingness to win the contested ball, while Gown’s marking ability (eight marks) all over the ground ensured the Power always had a target to kick to.

Motton and Xavier Duurmsa were workhorses around the ball, and the defence was once again led by Tye Hourigan.

“It was a super result to get a win against a quality team who have been in really good form,” coach Leigh Brown said.

“We were one man down for all of the second half a little bit of the second quarter when Mitch Bentvelzen got injured, so I think the mental strength and courage shown through the group was really strong.”

Gippsland’s next challenge is another team in ripping form; the Oakleigh Chargers. They face the Chargers at 2pm on Saturday at IKON Park for a spot in the big dance.