IF you are missing footy like we are, then let us somewhat salvage that with a look back in a new series of Classic Contests. In today’s contest we look at one of the would-have-been Round 14 clashes in the NAB League this year between the Gippsland Power and Northern Knights. In this edition, we wind the clock back to 2018, when Gippsland Power hosted Northern Knights in Morwell, and by the end of four quarters, neither side could be split.

2018 TAC Cup, Round 4
Saturday April 21, 1:00pm
Morwell Recreation Reserve

GIPPSLAND POWER 1.8 | 2.3 | 6.5 | 10.6 (66)
NORTHERN KNIGHTS 2.1 | 5.4 | 7.4 | 10.6 (66)

GOALS:

Gippsland: I. Mosquito 4, J. Smith 2, R. Baldi, M. McGannon, A. Young, T. Hayes.
Northern: S. Brazier 4, K. Agosta 2, J. D’Intinosante, B. Gillard, R. Sturgess, R. Bowkett.

BEST:

Gippsland: I. Mosquito, K. Reid, R. Sparkes, J. van der Pligt, B. Smith, M. McGannon
Northern: B. Gillard, R. Sturgess, L. Potter, S. Brazier, T. Hallebone, R. Gardner

Draftees in action:

Gippsland: Irving Mosquito, Brock Smith, Fraser Phillips, Leo Connolly, Noah Gown
Northern: Sam Philp

An early season clash out at Morwell saw Gippsland Power take on Northern Knights in Round 4 of the 2018 TAC Cup season. The Power had a host of talented bottom-agers who were already starring for the side, and had started the season with a 2-1 record to sit third on the table. They went in as strong favourites at home against a hardened Knights outfit that was one win from three games, sitting eighth on the table.

The early going belonged to Northern Knights as skipper, Braedyn Gillard booted the opener just two minutes into the game, and then Kye Agosta added another six minutes later to put his side up by 10. The lively Irving Mosquito would kick the first of four goals in the game late in the term, giving his team some confidence going into the second quarter.

Once again though, Northern had the upper hand in the next term, booting three of the four goals and racing out to a 19-point advantage by half-time. Josh D’Intinosante and Ryan Sturgess were both having big games, while Josh Smith was looking strong in attack for the Power. Trailing at half-time, Gippsland burst out of the blocks in the second half with Riley Baldi, Matt McGannon and Mosquito booting consecutive goals. The latter of the trio levelled the scorers momentarily until back-to-back goals from Sunny Brazier handed the visitors a 12-point buffer with five minutes remaining.

With only a couple of minutes left in the term, Mosquito found the goals yet again, and not for the last time in the game, would have a say deep in red time. At the final break, the home team’s deficit was a measly five points. The first goal in the final quarter would be crucial and up stepped Brazier to match Mosquito’s trio of goals, giving his team an 11-point advantage. That would not last long however, with Tyrone Hayes scoring, then Smith putting his team in front and Alex Young adding some extra incentive. After a few misses from Northern, the goal hurt as the Power led by five.

Agosta came to the rescue midway through the term with a goal, and soon Brazier popped up for his fourth, and the Knights trailed by seven points with 11 and a half minutes remaining. The last 10 minutes were tension-filled as both sides tried to get the upper hand, but the Power kept attacking and when they scored a crucial behind, the deficit was just six points and everyone knew what could be on the cards.

It looked for ages like the Knights would hold on and score a terrific away victory, but in the dying moments with just 22 seconds left on the clock, that man Mosquito popped up and found a way with a terrific effort in the pocket to drill it home and create something out of nothing for his time. The scores were level, and with no time on, the siren sounded not long after to signal a draw and the teams would split the points.

Mosquito was named best-on for the Power thanks to his crucial four-goal outing which accompanied 15 disposals, five marks, nine inside 50s and five tackles, while Kyle Reid was instrumental down back clunking nine marks and seven rebounds from 20 disposals. Ryan Sparkes (28 disposals, six marks and three tackles), Jake Van Der Plight (27 disposals, seven marks and 11 tackles), Brock Smith (14 disposals, three marks and nine tackles) and McGannon (18 disposals, four marks, 10 tackles and a goal) were the other bests for Gippsland. Of future draftees, bottom-agers Fraser Phillips (15 disposals, one mark and three behinds) and Leo Connolly (14 disposals, five marks) both impressed, while top-age key forward Noah Gown worked hard for 14 disposals, four marks and four tackles.

Gillard led the way for the Knights, picking up 25 disposals, five marks, eight clearances, four inside 50s and a goal. Sturgess had a massive day out racking up 29 disposals, 10 marks and four rebounds, as well as capitalising with a goal. Harrison Grace (21 disposals) and future Blue, Sam Philp (21) both had big days out, whilst Brazier booted four goals from 18 touches and seven marks. Stefan Uzelac had seven rebounds with 19 touches and eight marks.

Gippsland Power would finish the season in second, reaching a preliminary final before bowing out at the hands of Oakleigh Chargers to the tune of 93 points, while Northern Knights finished eighth but lost to Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels in a Wildcard Round clash.