GIPPSLAND Power broke through to secure their first premiership since 2005 on Saturday, kicking away to a 35-point over Dandenong Stingrays in the Talent League Grand Final. Victorious co-captain Cody Templeton was named best on ground having bagged five goals alongside star teammate Wil Malady.

In what was an entertaining all-Country clash at Whitten Oval, the Power trailed at half time but broke the game open with seven goals in the third term, and another five after that to flex their scoring firepower. Plenty of budding draftees caught the eye across each age group, including several tied to Hawthorn.

>> Match report: Power surge helps Gippsland break 21-year drought

GIPPSLAND POWER 2.2 | 4.6 | 11.8 | 16.10 (106)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 3.2 | 5.7 | 8.7 | 10.11 (71)

GOALS:
Gippsland Power: W. Malady 5, C. Templeton 5, K. Boi 2, L. Macumber 2, C. Dent, A. Finsterer
Dandenong Stingrays: A. Sousa 2, K. Sullivan 2, M. Toner 2, B. Carroll, D. Linden, F. Marsh, M. Prasad

BEST:
Gippsland Power: C. Templeton, J. Burgiel, W. Malady, X. Ladbrook, O. Henwood, K. Boi
Dandenong Stingrays: G. Kennedy, A. Sousa, M. Toner, M. Prasad, B. Carroll, J. Phillips

GIPPSLAND POWER:

#4 Levi Macumber
Small Forward | 177cm | 01/06/2008

Stats: 10 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals

There is almost no stopping Macumber once he decides to take off and launch towards goal, backing his speed and dare in the front half. His pace proved difficult to handle in several audacious bursts, as the eye-catching small forward connected up the ground and stormed back towards the big sticks. He kicked two goals in open play and hit the post with another attempt on the run, popping up in moments of pure instinct.

#6 Judd Burgiel
Midfielder | 179cm | 04/06/2008

Stats: 29 disposals, 6 clearances, 9 inside 50s

Burgiel was Gippsland’s main man in midfield, capping off a sensational end to the season. His burst speed and willingness to take the game forward were once again central to his damage factor, on top of leading the Power’s disposal tally. Burgiel also led the game for contested and uncontested possessions, burrowing in at the contest and working hard on the outside. While his ball use could do with a touch of polish, there is little questioning Burgiel’s ability to set the tone at the source.

#7 Keenan Boi (Hawthorn NGA)
Small Forward/Midfielder | 177cm | 03/11/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 6 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 goals

It took over 10 minutes for either side to break the deadlock, and it was Boi who managed to do so. A phenomenal bit of one-on-one craft was required, as the shrewd small protected the drop zone with his body and marked before running into the open square. He otherwise lacked his usual killer instinct at times, but was dangerous when working up the ground and attacking with his speed and low drilling kicks. With Gippsland maintaining fresh legs on a warm day, Boi even earned an extended run on-ball. His tackling was typically robust and he ended up with a second goal in the final term, taking his moment on the end of a slick transitional passage.

#10 Cody Templeton
Forward/Midfielder | 180cm | 01/01/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 marks, 5 goals

Those in the Gippsland program can hardly speak higher of Templeton and his big-game ability, so it was only fitting he would be named the best player afield in a Grand Final win. Along with Wil Malady, he booted five goals and helped break the game open with his scoring output. The co-captain finished well in open play and was a viable leading target, while also showing his value as a powerful burst midfielder. Templeton’s physical nature and willingness to take on the big moments helped forge the crowning achievement of his top-age year. The talent and temperament are there.

#16 Oscar Henwood
Midfielder/Forward | 185cm | 11/06/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles

A timely inclusion on the back of his mandatory 21-day concussion layoff, Henwood played with a blend of class and determination. He showed great poise to use the ball effectively by hand and foot, looking particularly stylish on his favoured left side. The bottom-ager’s competitiveness came to the fore with his pressure acts and dogged tackling, along with a couple of hard contest splits. At this early stage, he could be a talent Tasmania rues not jumping at early.

#17 Leo Stephenson
Wing | 183cm | 08/07/2009

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles

Stephenson made a bright start to proceedings and was dynamic in his customary wing role. The bottom-ager looked to take ground as he connected the lines, working hard to be an outlet from defence before launching forward. While guilty of blazing away at times, his intent and directness helped put Gippsland on the front foot. Stephenson’s closing speed was terrific on the defensive end, often charging full-tilt at opponents to shut them down. He’s a goer.

#27 Charlie Fischer (Hawthorn NGA)
Defender | 179cm | 07/04/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 rebound 50s

Another athletic bottom-ager at Gippsland’s disposal, Fischer’s spring and speed made him difficult to contain in each phase of the game. While erratic at times and prone to an error or two, he played on instinct and that often led him to rebound the ball dangerously. His slick turn of foot made him a nightmare to shut down, while his strong leap helped to relieve pressure inside defensive 50.

#33 Wil Malady
Tall Forward | 190cm | 12/10/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 7 marks, 5 goals

Long known as a prospect with game-breaking ability, Malady proved as much in his final game of junior footy. After Darcy Szerszyn helped nullify his impact in the opening half, the dynamic forward kicked five goals thereafter, including three in a row to tear the third quarter apart. He was difficult to stop on the lead with his raw speed and smarts, along with the ability to extend and mark the ball out in front. Malady ended up with four contested grabs and competed typically hard in the air. He converted some tough set shots from distance and was dangerous in open play with that patented athleticism. He’s a nightmare matchup, and one with top-10 worthy talent.

#40 Xavier Ladbrook
Key Defender | 201cm | 16/10/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 8 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Ladbrook has been outstanding with a move back to defence post-championships, and was once again his side’s leading interceptor. Boasting physical gifts like his speed, reach and agility, the talented tall complimented those traits with his footballing smarts. Ladbrook consistently made early reads and was mobile enough to act on them, getting into great positions behind the ball to either intercept in the air or off hands. He used his momentum to generate forward flow on the rebound and had no right to step around opponents as easily as he did at times. He’s certainly unique.

#45 Henry Allsop (Hawthorn NGA)
Key Defender | 198cm | 07/08/2009

Stats: 11 disposals, 6 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Learning off the likes of Ladbrook and Clancy Snell, Allsop has had quite the education in Gippsland’s defence. He was rock solid across the last line, thriving in the air and throughout his one-on-one duels. The bottom-ager reliably clunked intercept marks and played the percentages when required, living up to his title as a defender. He also tackled hard and was able to not only repel from deep in the backline, but also help lock the ball in the Power’s front half.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS:

#3 Gus Kennedy
Defender/Midfielder | 186cm | 21/02/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles

Kennedy often found himself going head-to-head with opposition captain Templeton and had plenty of his own wins despite the end result. His intercept work was exceptional, often occupying a high line and cutting off the ball with a safe pair of hands. From there, Kennedy distributed cleanly by foot and made assured decisions all around the ground. A competitor with game-changing power, he was thrown into the midfield in the final term but couldn’t quite drag his side home.

#4 Marcus Prasad
Small Forward/Midfielder | 167cm | 23/03/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 6 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Labelled Dandenong’s “energizer bunny” by coach Nick Cox, Prasad provided his patented pressure, ground level craft and creativity in tight spaces. Blending fierce tackles with sharp evasive work of his own, the diminutive forward attempted to twist and turn into areas where he could hurt Gippsland. His end product was tested under pressure, but Prasad stepped up to slot a huge goal on the run in term three and wasn’t afraid to engage in plenty of niggle.

#6 Mitch Toner
Forward | 186cm | 16/01/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 3 marks, 2 goals

Toner bubbled away and looked at one point like he could be the difference between the two sides. He simply made things happen inside 50, proving a capable marking target on the lead and with his strength in one-on-one battles. Toner finished his chances well and brought others into the play, showcasing great hands and an eye for the big moments. His sheer power was difficult to defend and made him one of Dandenong’s most likely scoring avenues all day.

#7 Andrio Sousa
Midfielder/Wing | 182cm | 11/08/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 7 marks, 2 goals

There are few more electric players than Sousa at his best. The lightly-built midfielder was incredibly good at escaping traffic, driving his legs and stepping into space effortlessly. He was ultra-clean at ground level, which gave him that extra bit of time to assess whether to take ground or dish off to a teammate under pressure. Sousa also hit the scoreboard with a pair of goals and was arguably his side’s most threatening player with ball in hand. He’s coming with a bolt.

#8 Wil Antrobus
Defender/Wing | 182cm | 18/04/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 7 rebound 50s

Antrobus once again showcased the pinpoint distributive skills which have him in draft conversations. The Stingrays superboot proved capable of launching kick-ins to the wing or hitting up safer options, but the former is what makes him so dangerous. He ended up venturing further afield where he could deal even more damage and ran out the game on a wing. Pleasingly, he showed some of his defensive wares and was tough when required.

#9 Dylan Linden
Tall Forward | 191cm | 18/02/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal

It was a shame that Linden only ended up with one goal, because his efforts throughout the day deserved more. Whether presenting hard up the ground or flinging himself at the ball inside 50, the over-ager played with great desperation and energy. Not only was he a marking target, but also a valuable pressure player whose team-first approach helped set up scoring chances for others.

#11 Jackson Phillips
Wing/Midfielder | 182cm | 30/01/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 marks, 4 clearances

Having started out on the wing, where he may well fit in at the next level, Phillips made an impact when shifted on-ball. He prised three centre clearances and impressed with his slick lateral movement all day, fooling would-be tacklers with his deft feints and side-steps. Phillips’ usually silky skills were tested but he made typically astute decisions to alleviate pressure around the ground.