West Gippsland players on Gippsland Power List 2007. Seated from left: Dane Roy (Bunyip) and Andrew Oldmeadow (Nar Nar Goon). Standing: Sam Cole (Lang Lang) and Dean Woodhead (Drouin).GIPPSLAND Power is switched on for its first game of the TAC Cup season at Morwell on Saturday, 31 March.
The Power will take on the Eastern Rangers, confident that it has had a thorough preseason preparation based on the fitness program of Les Ponton and the skill development work under new coach Adrian Hickmott.
There is a sense of optimism at the club, with new blood in the coaching panel and the influx of several highly rated bottomage players to join the core of those with extensive experience.
Adding to this mix is the fact that Beau Vernon, a premiership player in 2005, and Luke Webber will be the club’s two overage players in 2007.
The Power has played three practice games against other TAC Cup sides, Murray Bushrangers, Calder Cannons and the Sandringham Dragons.
Although without its best 22 on the park, the team showed positive signs that it could implement the game plan that Hickmont wants to use this season.
Since his late appointment last year, his unique approach has lifted the players and they are quickly adjusting to his style of coaching and innovative ideas.
The final element of the preseason program is the camp at Paynesville where the finishing touches will be put on team bonding and fitness work.
Those selected in the final Power squad for 2007 are:
Jarryd Blair (Wonthaggi), James Blaser, Liam Carolan, Ashley Payne, Brad Wedrowicz (Moe), James Bristow, Michael Todd (Sale), Jack Brown, Brent Connelly, Robert Michaelides, Andrew Petrou, Nathan Rogers (Morwell), Sam Cole, (Lang Lang), Jed Costigan, Brendon Rathnow (Maffra), Chris Endres (KilcundaBass) Tristan Francis (KorumburraBena) Darren Granger, Nick Heyne (Orbost), Nathan Grylls (Foster), Jackson Hall, Dan McKenna, Nick Stockdale, Michael Stockdale, Darren White (Traralgon), Sam Kater (Bairnsdale) Haelen Kay, (DWWWW), William Kelly (Heyfield), Shane McIntosh, Carson Strobel (Yarram), Sam Nickless (Lakes Entrance), Andrew Oldmeadow (Nar Nar Goon), Jared Risol, Luke Webber (Newborough), Dane Roy (Bunyip), Beau Vernon (Phillip Island) and Dean Woodhead, (Drouin).
Hickmont and his coaching panel plan to work with up to 15 bottomage players who will be invited to train with the club every week.
They will form a development group with the prospect of elevation to the senior group during the season or, setting themselves up for making the list in 2008.
Gippsland Power Under16 squad, preparing for the under16 championships in Bendigo, will play a curtainraiser practice match against Eastern Rangers.
This will be prior to the roundone Gippsland Power under18 TAC Cup game at Morwell Recreation Reserve starting at 10.30am.
