Under18 TAC Cup

By Bryan Mitchell
ON the biggest stage in junior football, Gippsland Power claimed the TAC Cup premiership with a hardfought but convincing 15point victory over Dandenong Stingrays at the MCG on Saturday.
The Power led at every change and worked hard throughout.
The Power’s Steve O’Bryan won the toss and kicked with the advantage of the slight breeze. Both sides made lots of early mistakes in decisionmaking and disposal. The Stingrays had the first goal on the board but this stirred the Power to action and the mercurial Dale Thomas goaled after clever crumbing. Brett Dore followed with a typical long goal and forward line pressure by Ricky Delphine and Dore set up Chris Dunne for the Power’s third. By the first break the lead was 16 points.
Against the wind at the start of the second term, the Power set up Jay Neagle and then Xavier Ellis sneaked forward to pull down a big mark and put the Power 28 points up.
However, instead of capitulating, the Stingrays punished indecisive play by the Power and kicked two quick goals to restore the balance. For 10 minutes neither side could break clear but the Stingrays broke the deadlock before a big mark and goal by Thomas opened the lead to 15 points by the long break.
The opening of the third term was tense before Thomas goaled again and youngster Jeff Ryan gratefully accepted a Stingrays kickin for another goal.
But the Stingrays managed to reduce the margin and remind the Power they were still in the game. Determined efforts by Ben Ross and Dunne set up Neagle for a telling goal late in the term. By the last change the lead was 22 points.
The last term opened with lots of pressure but the Power, through Delphine, Neagle and Ross combined to create a slim opportunity for Scott Pendlebury, who converted. The Stingrays kicked three goals on the rebound to stay in touch, bringing the margin to less than two goals.
Thomas goaled on the run and Ben Fraser finished off a chain of passes with a goal. The Stingrays again goaled quickly but the Power shut the game down with teamwork and held on to take the title.
Drouin’s Thomas stamped his authority on the game early with his brilliant individual skills and team play. Defender Craig Flint has been the linchpin of the TAC Cup’s best defensive unit and again led with disciplined and resolute play.
Rover Delphine finished a brilliant season by winning many possessions as well as putting his body on the line. Dore took big marks and used his body to create time and space for teammates.
Trent West again dominated the aerial duels to generate drive for the side as well as taking timely marks. Jaymie Youle had a typically strong and determined game in defence and attacked the ball fearlessly. Fellow defender Lachlan Hansen took the big marks but really hurt the Stingrays with his ability to attack and run with the ball.
Beau Vernon made the most of his opportunities and combined courage, excellent decisionmaking and precise ball skills. Dunne showed his commitment, winning 20 possessions and laying 13 crunching tackles. The mercurial Pendlebury showed a lot of grit to play after a family bereavement but demonstrated courage and strength of character and was a significant contributor.
Coach Paul Hudson heaped praise on the Power for the players’ ability to do so consistently well considering the fact that they only trained together once a week.
Scores: Gippsland Power 12.9.81 d Dandenong Stingrays 10.6.66.
Goals: Dale Thomas 4, Jay Neagle 2, Brett Dore, Chris Dunne, Xavier Ellis, Ben Fraser, Scott Pendlebury, Jeff Ryan 1.