Power hits a peak

By Gavin Staindl
GIPPSLAND Power thrashed the Northern Knights by 71 points in a match Power followers are dubbing a “complete performance”.
While the Power has recorded convincing victories over the past two weeks, including last week’s 67-point belting of the Western Jets, Sunday’s match at Coburg against the Knights was the first time the Power had been switched on for four quarters.
Even in the final quarter, when the Knights were playing for pride and the Power was kicking into a strong wind, the boys from Gippsland still managed to increase their lead.
“It was probably the best we have played all year,” coach Adam Dowie said.
“The midfield was terrific at winning the ball, even when they were reading taps off a metro ruckman who was over 200 centimetres tall the on-ballers still won the clearances.
“The defence was really good and the opposition rarely took a contested mark.”
In fact, they managed only four contested marks all day, such was the pressure applied by Gippsland.
From the opening bounce, the Power was a class above.
A five-goal-to-none first term set up the win and a six-goal-to-one third quarter capped it off, as Dowie left the ground finally satisfied with his team’s output.
“I went away from last week’s game a bit flat,” Dowie said. “A few guys weren’t too happy with it either but I really thought Sunday was a four-quarter performance.
“We retained our structure for the day, especially in defence.
“I didn’t ask the boys to do it, but they were pushing up the ground but not following the ball.
“They were staying goal-side of their opponents and waiting to intercept the ball to generate more inside 50s.
“We have averaged over 60 inside 50s over the past three weeks.”
On Sunday, Danny Butcher returned to form with 23 disposals and showed patience in the backline while Clay Smith racked up 29 touches, kicked four goals and laid eight tackles in a man-of-the-match performance.
Up forward, Tim Membrey was unstoppable, kicking six goals and Shaun Marusic played his best game of the season. The big man kicked 3.2 but his ability to mark up high and rove the loose balls makes him potent in the air and on the ground.
Gippsland returns home to play Oakleigh on Sunday where it hopes to keep its undefeated streak at Morwell alive.