By Jonty Ralphsmith
The Gippsland girls are on the board in 2023!
After a tough first month of the season, the Power players returned to local footy where they gained confidence and belief which they carried into a 13.10 88 to 5.4 34 victory over Northern Territory Thunder Academy.
Boosted by the inclusion of several 2007-born gems on debut, Gippsland kicked away in the second quarter, not giving the Thunder another look in after taking a seven-point lead into the first break at Sandringham.
Vic Country MVP and All-Australian Ella Stoddart was one who entered the lineup and carried over her form as a rebounding defender from the under-16 national championships.
She was an attacking threat all day, used in a similar role to the highly-regarded Ash Centra, while she was also strong defensively after halftime, and thrown into the middle for her development in the last quarter.
Centra’s marking stood out, while over-ager India Makai, listed with Casey, was explosive around the contest and finished with 21 touches.
Forwards Chelsea Sutton and Abby Hobson combined for seven goals on debut.
“Her goal sense and ability to understand where she is on the field makes her dangerous,” said coach Nathan Boyd of Sutton.
“Coming off a good under-16 carnival, she was good at ground level and if she plays with confidence, is hard to defend.”
Hobson, meanwhile, stood out with her ability to read the ball in the air, jump and take a mark.
Bec Fitzpatrick was another under-16 inclusion who added energy to the lineup.
Next up for them is the challenge of Calder, which has three wins from four games this season.
Meanwhile, the boys recorded a six point win at home over the Western Jets.
Liam Serong kicked the winning goal, kicking over the man on the mark from 30 metres out after stretching up and intercepting a chip kick from a Jets defender.
It capped off a strong game for Serong, the younger brother of AFL pair Caleb and Jai, where he competed well and provided presence
Bottom-ager Xavier Lindsay was also among the better players for Gippsland, impressing with his smooth movement and the way he carried the footy.
It follows on from his Vic Country representation last week when he was the only bottom-ager to feature.
First round prospect Zane Duursma kicked three goals and hit the post a further three times, while Warragul’s Tom Stern played as an inside midfielder and showed positive signs.
