FOOTBALL
TAC CUP
AFTER a week’s rest Loy Yang B Gippsland Power went into its match against rivals Dandenong Stingrays on a downer with four key players missing due to injury.
Tom Muir, Bodhi Walker, Liam Nash and Nate Paredes were all sidelined, while Lukas Webb, Connor Ambler and Ben Northover came back to add stability to the taller brigade.
Power was desperate to regroup following four straight losses and salvage a top four finish and started well against the wind.
Dandenong regrouped with a major and a poor defensive decision gifted them another, but the Stingrays were finding it hard to set up scoring opportunities.
A free kick gave Dandenong another goal late in the term to establish a 21-point lead at the first change.
With the wind at its back for the second term, Power started the quarter poorly as the Stingrays put two past them.
It took 15 minutes to get it right when Josh Scott scored after marking well in the goal square.
Good pressure saw Lukas Webb deliver to Scott for another and when Webb intercepted brilliantly to finish another the momentum was going the Power’s way.
Connor Ambler used his hard-nut approach to provide the prolific Scott with a third and Ed Morris snapped truly to put the Power three points up at the long break.
Captain Josh Cashman scored a rare major to start the third but the Stingrays struck straight back to stay in touch.
The Power was applying pressure all over the ground and some great vision and skill by Ben Kearns and Scott saw Lachie Channing goal to give the side the advantage.
Channing then became provider as Kearns snapped another off the pack and Power seized a crucial advantage going into the final quarter.
Late in the term the Stingrays kicked two critical goals to seize a four point lead after being well held for most of the term.
Their advantage grew early in the final quarter when they kicked the opening major.
The Power was wasting scoring opportunities and was punished when the Stingrays capitalised on some slack defence.
With the game in the balance Scott kicked a crucial goal after a free kick and 50 metre penalty but more poor ball use saw the Stingrays respond and take a handy lead late in the game.
The Power was working hard but poor finishing was its bane.
Great pressure play by young Ambler broke the pattern but it was too little too late and the Stingrays scored a deserved eight point win.
Power players
AARON Heppell is renowned for his ability to apply intense pressure on opponents and took it to another level.
He won vital possessions and used them skillfully to set up the play for the Power.
Key forward Declan Keilty again demonstrated his growing importance to the Power’s game plan and provided his team mates with a great target going into attack.
He took tough contested marks and dominated rucking contests in the forward line.
Young defender Jack Hammond has worked hard to adjust to the tempo of the TAC Cup and was very effective in quelling dangerous opponents with disciplined play.
He added quality to his game by winning key possessions.
In his second TAC Cup game Connor Ambler illustrated his potential and immense talent with a terrific game in the thick of the action.
He played committed team football and was able to win key possessions against opposition midfielders.
Josh Scott was the main target for the Power and had to contend with multiple opponents again.
The Power now goes into the last regular season game against Bendigo Pioneers with a simple equation.
Win and play finals or lose and run the gauntlet.
It is likely that at least three of the missing brigade will be back.
Graham debuts
FORMER Gippsland Power star and 2012 Morrish medallist Nick Graham made his senior debut for Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League at the weekend.
Graham managed seven kicks, two handballs and two marks in his first run with the Blues.
Ninth-placed Carlton kept its season hopes alive with a stirring win against top four contender, Richmond.
