Kate Withers
FOOTBALL
A five-goal last term helped Gippsland Power overcome a two-goal deficit and romp home with an impressive five-point win over Oakleigh Chargers in round 14 of the TAC Cup.
Power surged in the first quarter and went into the first break with a 14-point buffer but gave it up in the second when they failed to trouble the scorers and trailed by seven points at half-time and let it out to 14 at the final change.
Coach Leigh Brown said his side’s fourth quarter effort was the “best evidence” of its ability to perform under pressure.
“It was nice to get the win. It was a tough-fought game and I thought … when we play how we want to play and [apply] our pressure and the way we can compete, the way we set up … I think that stands up against any team,” Brown said.
“I think it’s really important that we stick to those things.”
He said giving up the lead in the second quarter was “disappointing” but praised the young charges for turning it around.
“The character of the group, to be able to be challenged firstly, and then to respond shows some really good signs,” he said.
Key forward Noah Gown drew Brown’s admiration for a stellar game that included two goals.
“I thought Noah Gown was unbelievable. His [last] three weeks have been really special and he’s really announcing himself,” he said.
“He hasn’t played a lot of footy before this year but we’re starting to see what being in a program, training regularly with his footy can really do and he was outstanding today.”
The win sews up second spot on the TAC Cup ladder for Power with three rounds to go in the season-proper.
“We’ve cemented probably where we’re going to finish on the ladder now and I think that means we’ll finish top four, which is exciting, to get that extra week off as well,” Brown said.
Goals: Sam Flanders 2, Noah Gown 2, Harrison Pepper 2, Fraser Phillips 1, Jack Hume 1, Luke Williams 1.
