By Hayley Wildes
In windy conditions at Preston City Oval on Saturday, the Gippsland Power charged to its third win on the trot, taking care of the Northern Knights.
The Knights jumped out to a three-goal lead at quarter time after kicking with the wind. Majors to captain Xavier Duursma and excitement-machine Irving Mosquito were vital as the Power remained in touch, despite kicking against a strong breeze.
The start of the second quarter was the Noah Gown show as he slotted two majors in the opening four minutes of play to have his side just five points adrift.
Two late goals to finish the first half – courtesy of Harold Hood and Boadie Motton – had the Power sitting seven points up at the main break.
Gown once again came out on a mission, this time getting the opening goal of the third term to give Gippsland some breathing room.
The Knights responded by kicking the remaining three goals scored in the quarter. Despite losing the term, the Power’s defence held up well and made life as difficult as possible for the Knights’ forwards.
A 10-point three quarter time deficit was well within reach as Gippsland was kicking with the wind in the final term.
The Knights didn’t lie down, kicking the opening goal of the quarter – but that would be their final score of the day as the Power stormed home.
Gown’s fourth major of the day gave Gippsland the lead with seven minutes to play and he slotted another soon after before Duursma put the game to bed with a late goal.
Gippsland claimed the hard-fought win, 13.7 (85) to 10.8 (68).
Coach Leigh Brown spoke about his team’s effort to fight back after a slow start.
“It was nice to get the four points,” he said.
“Our first quarter wasn’t fantastic, but I thought we fought away in the second quarter and then particularly in the third to set it up.
“It was good to finish the game off strongly and it puts us in a good position now with a big game against Oakleigh next week.”
The Power was led by Noah Gown (five goals) who presented well all day and was a force up forward, while Bailey Beck, Matthew McGannon and Sam Flanders were impressive as they powered Gippsland forward on many occasions.
“Noah Gown had another very good game again with five goals,” Brown said.
“I thought Bailey Beck was fantastic, whether that was forward, wing or back; he played a lot of different roles.”
The Power (9-2-2) remains second on the ladder; one win ahead of the Murray Bushrangers and Sandringham Dragons.
Gippsland faces the fifth-placed Oakleigh Chargers on Saturday afternoon from 2pm at Warrawee Park.
