By Jonty Ralphsmith
Gippsland coach Rhett McLennan is optimistic in the midfield depth of the Gippsland Power in 2024.
AFL Academy member Xavier Lindsay, returning 19-year-old Tom Hanily, bottom-aged talent Willem Duursma and strong runner Max Stobie lead the charge in the middle.
That quartet, as well as flashy small forward Ricky Mentha were among the players to get midfield minutes in Gippsland’s practice match on Sunday against Dandenong at Wonthaggi.
With the 2024 draft crop expected to be midfield-heavy, that level of depth is set to hold the region in good stead.
“We feel like our mids can go both ways and there’s a bit of x-factor there as well,” McLennan said,
“I expect us to roll a lot of people through the middle throughout the year so it won’t be a settled group of four or five – it will be closer to six to nine.”
Tooradin-Dalmore defender Jehi Esler’s hamstring has been the chief interruption of preseason, with the returning overager facing at least six weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
The Power’s cohesion stood out in the practice match – an area that the sparse region is always looking to address.
“We always know it will be a disadvantage for us so there is always a real emphasis when there are times we can connect and understand each other better,” McLennan said.
“Every year we’re trying to get better at it. Knowing we’ve got limited sessions, there’s a conscious effort to have a gap-bridging exercise where we can come together.
“We’ll wait and see – for the start the signs look good.”
Warragul Industrials key-position-player Alixzander Tairu played with aggression and showed he could take an intercept mark on Sunday as he learns the craft of playing down back, having played his local footy at the other end.
Others to show positive signs were Warragul forward Oliver Wilson, Stobie, and the speedy Julian Callahan playing off halfback, while Dandenong’s Pat Bloink, Harvey Langford and Harry Doughton all did nice things.
Meanwhile, the Power has announced its leadership group, with Lindsay to lead the side, aided by vice-captain William Brent and leadership group members Asher Eastham, Max Donohue and Stobie.
