By Hayley Wildes
In ideal football conditions in Bendigo on the weekend, the Gippsland Power returned to the winners’ list against the Pioneers.
Early in the game, the Power applied intense pressure on the Pioneers all over the ground but were unable to exploit their control of play on the scoreboard.
Some excellent forward pressure by Austin Hodge allowed Sam Flanders to kick a much-needed goal but further chances were wasted. The Power defence stood firm when they were being attacked on the rebound and minimised the damage being done on the scoreboard. Irving Mosquito set up Kooweerup’s Josh Smith for a vital goal late in the term and scores were level at quarter time.
A quick, long and direct attacking move by Warragul jet Caleb Serong resulted in Mosquito kicking a goal off the resultant pack. This inspired his teammates and Xavier Duursma set up Flanders to kick another after taking a great contested mark.
Some effective ball use by Riley Baldi and Nick Lowden saw the mercurial Flanders kick a stunning major and then more intense forward pressure by Hodge resulted in a fine goal by Fraser Phillips.
At the long break they led by 34 points and seemingly had the Pioneers well and truly on the back foot.
In the third quarter, the Power wasted gettable scoring chances and went to the final change 31 points ahead when it could, and should, have been much further in front.
A clever play by Nar Nar Goon’s Bailey Beck allowed Harvey Neocleous to kick a crucial goal that finally extended the lead to an unattainable level. The Pioneers then kicked their first for the term but, it was to be their last as the Power went into overdrive for the rest of the quarter.
Kyle Reid kicked a well-earned goal from a free kick. From the resultant centre bounce, Phillips found fellow youngster Mason McGannon for another fine goal. Some more positive ball use allowed McGannon to kick another and then Serong kicked a stunner on the run.
By the final siren, the margin was 64 points in the Power’s favour, 17.15 (117) to 8.5 (53). The Power had again dominated general play with their traditional tough and intense pressure and rarely allowed the Pioneers the chance to get any passages of play started.
Gippsland had 10 goal-kickers in their fine team-oriented performance, led by Sam Flanders who booted four.
Rylan Henkel took his already impressive game to another level as he dominated the rucking duels all over the ground by using his height and strength to telling effect in each contest.
Captain Duursma thrived in the hard-ball situations with his courage and determination as well as being a key link player in many positive passages of team play.
McGannon was composed in defence, with disciplined decision making. But for inaccuracy, Sam Flanders could have kicked ten goals from the many opportunities he created for himself with his stunning aerial skills, strength in one-on-one contests and amazing reading of the play.
