The 2011 TAC Cup season opened in style for the Loy Yang B Gippsland Power when they recorded a narrow, morale boosting win over arch rivals Dandenong Stingrays. Going into the match, there was a degree of optimism amongst the Power staff that the 2011 side was going to be a competitive unit in this elite competition and this confidence was validated as the boys dug deep to hold off the Stingrays who charged late to get within one point at the final siren.
Throughout the Power’s pre-season work in regional centres and at the home base in Morwell, the staff had been well aware that the 2011 squad had that vital mix to make them a realistic contender. The top-age boys who remained had already stepped up to the demands of the TAC Cup in 2010 and gave the team a core of very experienced, highly skilled and physically strong players around which to build the new team.
The next element to encourage this optimism was the quality of the bottom age boys, many of whom had been at the club in the under fifteen and sixteen programs, and who had already shown that they were an exceptional group of young men. Adding to the mix were several boys who had joined the program as top-age players and the result was that the 2011 side was looking very strong. Three practice match victories over the Sandringham Dragons, Eastern Ranges and Geelong Falcons had reinforced the positives shown on the training track and the opening match was eagerly awaited by all at the club.
There were twelve newcomers in the opening side with seven of them being bottom-agers so it was expected that it would take a while for the team to adjust to the frenetic tempo of top quality TAC Cup football. It was the Power who goaled first when Simon Deery and Jack Blair went quick, long and direct to find Matt Northe who coolly kicked a major from the fifty metre line. Both sides seemed nervous early and were making fundamental decision-making and skill errors but the Power steadied better and tall forwards Matt Willcocks and Shaun Marusic combined for another good goal.
Not to be outdone, the Stingrays replied after an unnecessary turnover and then squandered some gettable opportunities to put the pressure on the Power. Some more indecision by the Power gave the Stingrays another goal and it was game on. A strong mark and goal by Tim Membrey on the siren gave the Power a one point lead at the first break. Although the endeavour of both sides was outstanding, neither coach would have been happy with the use of the ball, and there was a lot to be done by both sides in this area.
Once again it was the Power who opened the scoring when Clay Smith finished off some strong play by the Power in the contested issues. As had been the pattern in the first term, the Power handed the Stingrays a relatively simple reply with indecisive defence and it took Traralgon team-mates Northe and Membrey to combine to restore the lead for the Power. As if on cue, more poor decision making by the Power let the Stingrays in for a goal and the pressure was back on the Power.
Shaun Marusic went from villain to hero in a few minutes after missing a sitter late in the term before redeeming himself with a long bomb from the boundary near the fifty metre line. His goal on the siren gave the Power a seven point lead at the long break and Power coach Adam Dowie would have been in two minds about how to address the boys in the rooms.
He would have been rapt with the endeavour and determination that they showed to apply relentless pressure and win the hard ball but, he knew that they needed to make smarter decisions if they were going to finish off their work where it mattered most, on the scoreboard. The Stingrays had been very inaccurate but the Power had given them soft goals with poor decisions and they rightly would have thought that they were right in the game.
Not much can be said about the third term other than it was hard fought. The Power were still making unnecessary errors but were able to goal first when captain Shaun Wyatt found Nick Graham who kicked a long bomb from the fifty. For the rest of the term the ball went up and down the ground with neither side able to score a goal but the Power were working hard to play their unique brand of hard-nosed football and, in doing so, keep the Stingrays under extreme pressure. Yet again the Stingrays were inaccurate and they trailed by seven points going into the last term.
Some great pressure football allowed Smith to snap a clever left foot goal early in the last quarter and the Power were still tackling fiercely to keep the Stingrays under pressure. The Stingrays hit back after the Power failed to kill the contest on the goal line and they were again within a kick with plenty of time to go. Clay Smith initiated an exhilarating passage of handball involving Northe and Anthony Tipungwuti and then finished it off himself with a brilliant goal. With a few minutes to go it appeared that the Power had finally shaken off the Stingrays but once again they failed to defend strongly on the goal line and the Stingrays were back in the game.
With seconds to go the Stingrays again goaled but it was too little too late and the Power were able to hold on to record an important win to set their up 2011 campaign. Wins early in the season are vital in the TAC Cup as there is up to eight weeks in the middle of the year when sides can be without their best players due to state commitments. By “banking” wins early, sides can protect themselves for the time when less experienced players come into the side to fill the gaps left.
Final scores Loy Yang B Gippsland Power 9 goals 7 behinds 61 points defeated Dandenong Stingrays 7 goals 18 behinds 60 points. Goal kickers Clay Smith 3, Tim Membrey and Shaun Marusic 2, Nick Graham and Matt Northe 1. When the side needed someone to set the tone, Hadyn Hector answered the call to play the sort of relentless pressure football that is the trademark of the Power in recent seasons. He won many contested possessions in the thick of the action and worked tirelessly to use the ball with purpose and precision.
Key defender Josh Tynan has been outstanding in the pre-season and has improved almost every aspect of his performance. He played with great discipline and confidence despite conceding considerable height to opponents and used his many possessions with telling efficiency. Fellow defender Simon Deery also had a tough task but stuck to the job manfully. He too was extremely disciplined and worked hard to minimise the impact of dangerous opponents. Late in the game he went up forward where he was able to take telling marks under pressure.
Debutant Matt Willcocks was impressive with his strong contested marking skills and ability to lead up continually to provide team mates with a potent avenue into attack. He crashed the packs fiercely and gave the crumbing forwards plenty of chances to win the resultant loose ball. Ryley Hall was another defender who was resolute under pressure and went about his work in a typically understated way. He looked very comfortable and made good decisions throughout the match in a promising debut at TAC Cup level. Hard-nosed midfielder Clay Smith was critical in the side’s victory as he set the tone in the contested issues with his fierce attack on the ball. His ability to run and carry the ball forward was the icing on the cake as he emphatically showed that the Bruise Brothers are back.
Clever utility Nick Graham was another bottom age rookie who quickly adjusted to the tempo of this level of football and won many possessions all over the field. What was particularly impressive was his ability to use the ball with precision and penetration. Danny Butcher was the other Bruise Brother playing in the game and he too was back to his bustling and courageous best in the biggest and ugliest packs. He was also a valuable link player with his ability to use the ball with purpose and vision. Damien Hector was another hard working on-baller with his relentless attack on the ball and ability to win it in the crunch situations. He ran far and wide to be where he was needed most in a strong performance.
Dowie would have been delighted to secure the four points but he and his coaching team have plenty to work on in terms of addressing the aspects of the performance that created the turnovers that let the Stingrays in for most of their goals. The skill and decision making errors were extremely costly but on the up side, the boys were still able win and did so because of their incredible willingness to apply relentless pressure in the contests all over the ground. It is more that the side needs fine-tuning rather than an overhaul and he will be well aware that first game jitters will have been the cause of many of the brain fades.
The Power travel to Melbourne this Sunday to take on the Sandringham Dragons at Trevor Barker oval in what will be an excellent test of what the boys have learned from their game against the Stingrays. Although the Power had a clear win over the Dragons in an early practice game, this will mean nothing in terms of this match. The Dragons will have their best squad available due to the school holidays and will be well aware of the turnovers that bedevilled the Power’s game against the Stingrays. It’s an enticing opportunity for the side to stamp an early impression on the competition and set the tone in terms of how they are going to attack the 2011 TAC Cup season.
By Bryan Mitchell
Last Modified on 05/04/2011 18:12