By Jonty Ralphsmith
Gippsland’s boys and girls both got wins in the Power’s double header against Western at DSV Stadium, Williamstown, on Sunday.
Two Ash Centra goals and five score involvements to the gun number one pick contender in the first quarter set the game up for Gippsland, before the weather set in, making for an ugly spectacle in the second term.
The Power went into the main break leading by 11 points, Addison Howe kicking the Power’s only goal of the second, before Lily Milner started them strongly in the third quarter, taking a strong mark and converting.
The highlight of the match was a big Acacia Sutton snag from beyond 50, with Gippy scoring 5.3 in the third, while keeping the Jets scoreless.
Ella Stoddart also provided plenty of presence up front, Luka Butters was hard to beat in defence and Grace Dillow was strong and composed in the 11.8 74 to 4.6 30 victory.
The boys followed, with Gippy starting rapidly, scoring three goals in the first five minutes as Gippy capitalised on the wind advantage.
They scored the only four goals of the first quarter as Wil Malady, Jesse Craven and Xavier Lindsay all started well.
It would be more than an hour before their next goal, though, as they conceded the next six and were forced to come from 13 points behind late in the third quarter.
The visitors, however, were able to flex their muscle either side of three-quarter-time, scoring five goals.
It forced Western into fast, slingshot play, with the weather and Gippy’s pressure – genuine, perceived and on the scoreboard – all contributing to them holding the hosts off, save for two junk time consolation goals.
Eastham played two quarters in his usual forward post and two quarters in defence, while Alixzander Tauru mixed his time between defence and the midfield, playing with his typical hardness.
Debutante and highly-regarded Marlon Neocleous was tenacious playing as a small forward, tackling hard and setting up goals, while Ricky Mentha was recast as a defender and clean and efficient on a day where skills were often sloppy.
Harry Tatterson won his matchup on creative Jets goalkicker Jack Gerardi, Harry Canning was brilliant aerially and Max Donohue also played a strong role
