By Jarrod Potter
GIPPSLAND Power thrashed the Bendigo Pioneers by 63 points at Highgate Reserve, Craigieburn, but wayward kicking prevented a much bigger victory on Saturday.
Wasteful in front of goals, Gippsland kicked 26 behinds when a percentage-boosting rout was on offer.
Kicking with the wind was the biggest issue, as the Power sprayed 2.7 and 3.13 in the second and fourth quarters respectively.
Bendigo, winless at the bottom of the ladder, was outclassed by Gippsland with few positives to be found from the Pioneers trip to Highgate Reserve.
Bendigo kicked with the wind in the first quarter, slotting two goals to take a four-point lead at quarter-time.
The contest between the Pioneers’ Ethan Foreman and Gippsland’s Danny Butcher on the wing was great to watch as the two fought for possession. Power midfielder Nicholas Graham kicked Gippsland’s only goal for the quarter as some simple errors prevented a bigger score amounting.
Gippsland’s seven behinds in the second quarter came through easy misses and a swirling breeze, as the Power failed to capitalise on the gut running and tackling pressure from Butcher, Anthony Tipungwuti and Sean Marusic.
Bendigo’s Daniel Ludica kicked a goal after the siren to keep the Pioneers in touch with the errant Power, with the main break scoreline favouring Gippsland 29 to 21.
The third quarter started Bendigo’s decline, as Gippsland’s link-up plays across the midfield were repeated to great success. Midfielders Clay Smith, Danny Butcher, Graham and captain Shaun Wyatt all ran the ball well through the centre, setting up multiple opportunities for forwards Matt Willcocks, Tim Membrey and the forward-resting ruckman Jordon Staley.
Head clashes to Tipungwuti and Simon Deery in separate incidents were indicative of how hard Gippsland went at the ball all day. Tipungwuti, who was knocked out in the incident, took no further part in the game as a precaution, but was cleared of any problems. Deery played on without any ill effects stemming from his head clash.
The star of the third quarter was Graham, kicking three goals as he ran circles around the Pioneers’ defenders. Goals to Will Hams and Jack Johnstone pushed Gippsland to a comfortable 32-point lead at three-quarter-time.
At the three-quarter-time huddle, Gippsland coach Adam Dowie laid out his expectations for the team going into the last quarter.
“The more pressure we put on them, the more time we have with the ball,” Dowie said. “We need to take care when it’s in our hands.”
Dowie’s words went in one Pioneer ear (harassing the Pioneers at every opportunity to create intense pressure) but out the other when kicking at goal – 3.13 for the final quarter prevented an absolute demolition of Bendigo.
Haydn Hector marked three times inside 50 by the five-minute mark of the quarter, but sprayed his two chances at goal. Jordan Staley added 2.1 to his tally, with his superb leading and marking the highlight of the quarter.
The Pioneers’ Cameron Valentine can hold his head up, fighting valiantly all day at fullback against the much bigger Gippsland forwards Willcocks and Staley.
Five goals to Graham and three to Staley made them best afield, alongside H. Hector and Marusic.
Special mention is warranted for Josh Tynan, whose exceptional work from fullback was pivotal in stopping Bendigo on the scoreboard and providing the Gippsland midfield with top-notch delivery from the backline.