FOOTBALL
GIPPSLAND POWER
A second-quarter goal barrage from Gippsland Power set the side up for its second win of the TAC Cup season at the expense of Bendigo Pioneers, 17.15 (117) to 8.5 (53).
Scores were level at quarter-time but the Power stacked on seven goals to Bendigo’s to earn a comfortable 34-point buffer at half-time.
Coach Leigh Brown was chuffed with the round three efforts of his side and the 13 bottom-age players in particular.
“I was really happy with the result today, I thought we started a little bit slow in the first quarter and really worked our way into the game from there,” Brown said.
“The young guys are playing their part and the young guys are really leading the way.”
Sam Flanders was one of several young players to shine in round three with the ballistic, menacing forward showing his wares with a five-goal haul.
The return of Rylan Henkel from injury was a resounding success and the big 200-centimetre ruckman dominated the ruck contests in his best game yet for the side.
Brown also dished out the kudos to several top-age players who led by example in Power’s 64-point win.
“Xavier Duursma led from the front, Matt McGannon was really good again as was Brock Smith,” he said.
“It was just a really good team effort and we were fortunate enough to play some guys in some different roles, which is really good going forward, it gives them a secondary position and allows us to be more flexible.
“We were able to build around our pressure and defensive transition, which we’ve worked on pretty strongly in the last couple of weeks.”
Gippsland will now enjoy a week off, which has come at just the right time according to Brown.
“It was a really good team effort and now we get the opportunity to refresh and recharge with a week off next week,” he said.
