By Hayley Wildes
There are certain wins that will live long in the memory for all those involved. The Gippsland Power pulled off one of those victories on Saturday afternoon against the Geelong Falcons in their NAB League clash at Shepley Oval.
It was a performance that showed the grit of a young Power squad that was without nine of its very best players after they suited up for Vic Country against South Australia a day earlier.
At half-time the Rays found themselves in a 27-point hole in wet and windy conditions. Needing a lift, the Power fought bravely in the third quarter and held the Falcons – who had the aid of a strong breeze – to just one goal.
Despite not making inroads into the deficit, the lift in intensity was exactly what Gippsland needed heading into the final term. With Sam Berry involved in everything and Nick Prowd having a huge impact in the ruck, Gippsland suddenly looked rejuvenated and up for the fight.
Having kicked just two goals in three quarters and trailing by 27 points, the Power was always going to need something special in the fourth and that’s exactly what the group produced.
The Power boys slammed on two goals in the opening four minutes of the quarter to give themselves life and at the seven-minute mark when Berry caught a Geelong defender holding the ball and slotted the set shot, Gippsland’s belief grew even more.
Facing just a nine-point deficit at that point, the Power was well and truly in the contest.
Again, it was Berry who laid a big tackle, this time on Geelong ruckman Jack Grigsby with 10 minutes to play. From the resultant free kick, Berry kicked another major and it was a two-point game.
Mason McGarrity’s composure in the pocket led to a Brandon McAuliffe major at the 19-minute mark and incredibly, the Power had a four-point advantage.
To the Falcons’ credit, they answered the challenge and re-took the lead with four minutes to play courtesy of a classy Charlie Brauer goal.
With the game on the line, both teams fought tooth and nail in a frantic final few minutes of play. When it mattered most, Gippsland’s Zach Reid flew high above a big pack and took a clutch contested grab.
With a sense of calmness, Reid went back and converted the goal from 20 metres out to give Gippsland the lead once again with two minutes remaining.
With the ball in the Falcons’ attacking half for much of the final 90 seconds, the Power held them out and recorded a stirring comeback victory, 8.5 (53) to 7.7 (49).
Sam Berry (20 disposals, an incredible 18 tackles and three goals) was absolutely dominant all day, while Nick Prowd changed the game when he took ruck duties in the second half.
Tye Hourigan was sensational in defence, while Trent Baldi (16 disposals, 13 tackles and a goal) was also enormous.
The win sees the Power rise up to second on the ladder with an 8-3 record. Gippsland will this week face the Northern Knights on Saturday from 1pm in Morwell.
