Cannons Fire Power
By Ben Guthrie
Calder Cannons cemented their superpower status in the TAC Cup by winning their sixth flag in 10 years after a comprehensive 58 point victory over Gippsland Power at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The Cannons fire power up forward proved too much for Gippsland who fought valiantly despite falling to their highly fancied opponent 17.14 (116) to 8.10 (58).
A stunning 47 possession performance from Calder captain Mitch Wallis, who won the TAC Cup medal for his incredible game, gave his team the edge in the midfield.
Wallis’ ability to find space and run himself into the ground demonstrated his willingness to lead by example and football ability.
His 47 touches included 21 handball receives, 10 hardball gets and seven inside 50s.
Their dominance was not just restricted to the midfield, as the forward line got on top.
The Cannons were able to exploit a lack of tall options in Gippsland’s back half and rotated key forwards Luke Mitchell, Alistair Kefford and Brandyn Grenfell which created some problems for the Power.
Calder coach Martin Allison said playing a tall forward line was a deliberate ploy, much the same as they did in last year’s Grand Final win against Dandenong.
“When we planned for Gippsland we thought we could’ve stretched them down back,” Allison said.
They convincingly won the inside 50s (52-32), and their forward line prowess was always difficult for the Power to stop.
Mitchell in particular was at his damaging best, recapturing the form that had him touted to be a Gold Coast recruit last year.
His strong hands and body work in marking contests are equal to if not the best in the TAC Cup and he had a day out against the Power who had no answer to his 22 possession, seven mark (seven contested) and five goal performance.
Kefford also chimed in with three goals including a comical goal from the goal square where an errant kick in landed in his lap.
The Cannons engine room was also firing on all cylinders as they were led by some familiar names.
Dion Prestia (36 touches, 13 handball receives and eight clearances) and Tom Liberatore (27 and eight tackles) won plenty of the ball and generated forward line entries.
The Cannons dominated the clearances (39-18) and the possession count (405-281).
Prestia in particular had a profound impact on the game and his balance and composure in traffic is sure to boost his draft potential.
Gippsland showed glimpses of their form that led them through to the Grand Final when they cut the margin to just 29 points in the third quarter, but they were few and far between.
Power defender Michael Ross gathered 30 possessions and 14 handball receives and was clearly their best, creating and mopping up across half back.
Gippsland coach Damian Carroll said he was disappointed by the result, but he was pleased with the way his players handled themselves in the finals.
“We’ve got a lot to be proud of and obviously we’re disappointed with the final result but at the end of the day I suppose where you’ve come from, we’re you’ve got to is a measure of success,” Carroll said.
Jed Lamb (two goals) displayed some of his talents including a four bounce run and carry along the wing before firing a long bomb from 50 which would have made Phil Manassa proud.
Morrish medallist Dyson Heppell was well nullified by Calder as he only had 20 touches, after 40 against Oakleigh in the preliminary final.
Gippsland jumped out of the blocks early with a goal from Shaun Marusic, but Calder took control thereafter.
They led by 19 points at quarter time after three goals from Mitchell, before extending the margin to 29 points at half time thanks to a goal on the siren from Jordan Schroder (25 possessions and 10 clearances).
The Cannons booted seven goals to two in the third quarter, thanks largely to a lift in their defensive pressure, to set up victory and ensure back to back premierships.
Allison said his players deserve the credit for their successes as they had a steely resolve.
“This group particularly took a lot of ownership, they felt as though they had the talent and they wanted to see how far that could take them,” Allison said.
“The only way they could take themselves to this particular stage is if they banded together as a team and right before the first final they realised that.”
Calder Cannons 17.14.116
Gippsland Power 8.10.58
Calder Cannons
Goal Kickers: L. Mitchell 5, A. Kefford 3, D. Meli 2, J. Schroder 2, T. Sullivan, D. Prestia, D. Murphy, T. Sheridan, B. Grenfell
Best Players: M. Wallis, L. Mitchell, D. Prestia, C. Guthrie, A. Kefford, J. Schroder
Gippsland Power
Goal Kickers: J. Lamb 2, S. Marusic 2, T. Northe, D. MacDonald, C. Smith, H. Hector
Best Players: M. Ross, T. Northe, L. Todd, C. Smith, S. Marusic, J. Staley
Last Modified on 20/09/2010 11:52