Gippsland Power defender Dyson Heppell played a major role in his side’s impressive 31-point defeat of the Murray Bushrangers at Oakleigh’s Warrawee Park on Saturday. 31254 Picture: Luke PlummerBy Marc McGowan
THREE straight wins have vaulted Gippsland Power inside the TAC Cup’s top eight after a stuttering start to the year.
The Power dispatched the Murray Bushrangers by 31 points behind a strong first half at Oakleigh’s Warrawee Park on Saturday.
Ruckman Chris Wylie’s (13 disposals, five tackles and 23 hit-outs) best-on-ground display against Victoria Country squad member Jonathon Ceglar pushed his case for more game time when star teammate Nathan Vardy returns from representative duties.
Gippsland had first use of the strong breeze, but managed just one goal through Luke Tynan in the opening 14 minutes.
But that all changed after Mitch Dowse’s running major from the right pocket.
His goal was the first of six Power majors, including three to Jed Lamb, in just nine minutes as Gippsland relentlessly sent the ball forward.
Wylie, Dowse, Jack Carson and David Donchi (21) were instrumental in the withering end to the term that saw Gippsland hold the Bushrangers scoreless courtesy of a 19-5 inside-50 advantage.
Murray wasted little time making inroads on the 46-point margin, but Jake Loraine was unable to kick truly in the opening 60 seconds.
And, despite Nathan Kerlin slotting the Bushrangers’ first goal after four minutes, they continued to be wasteful with poor decision-making inside their attacking 50.
Sixteen-year-old Josh Mellington reduced the difference to 35, but Power forwards Lamb and Mannon Johnston combined soon after to blow the game out again.
Murray could only get within 30 points at half-time, with Gippsland half-back flankers Dyson Heppell (27) and Michael Ross rebounding superbly.
Creative third-gamer Darcy Thorpe also shone with his ball use, while centre-half-forward and stand-in captain Dean Woodhead provided a constant target.
The Power looked set to run away with the contest in the third quarter, but four consecutive misses kept the Bushrangers in the game.
Chris Lewis booted his second goal and Sam Myors joined in the act as Murray suddenly moved within 21 points of a lifeless Gippsland.
Diminutive onballer Sam Caruso (41) was in everything for the Bushrangers, picking up possessions at will.
Loraine could have edged the Bushrangers closer, but missed poorly from close range. It was left to Tim Northe to inspire the Power for the second week running and he stole an errant handball and snapped an important goal.
The buffer was still 30 at three-quarter-time thanks to Gippsland’s wayward kicking of 2.8 compared with Murray’s 3.2 for the term.
Loraine kicked a miraculous goal over his head 20 seconds into the final quarter before Thorpe hit back a minute later with his second.
Two Power errors – Lamb’s bad miss from 20 metres and Dowse’s transgression for running too far – and goals to Myors and Loraine added further to its woes.
But Gippsland stood firm and late goals to Carson and Lamb confirmed the result.
Power coach Damian Carroll lamented his players’ second straight third-quarter lapse, but was delighted to win without his representative stars.
Carroll believes the victory has primed his side for a tough three-match stretch against Eastern (sixth), Geelong (first) and Calder (seventh) after the bye.
“We’ll have to regroup after the bye and get them going again,” he said.
“If we can win at least two of those three (we’ll be in a good position) and the good thing is we’ve only played two games at Morwell … it’s good they’re coming to play now.”
Gippsland locks horns with Eastern on Saturday 13 June at 1pm at Morwell.
Meanwhile, midfielder Mitch Golby will sit out the rest of the year with his left knee injury that will require a full reconstruction.
Carroll indicated Golby would be back at the club next season if recruiters overlooked him in this year’s AFL national draft.
