GIPPSLAND powered to its fourth win of the season on Saturday, defeating the GWV Rebels by 57 points at Shepley Oval. Seven unanswered first-quarter goals set the platform for the Power’s comfortable victory, headlined by a breakout game from Hawthorn Next Generation Academy (NGA) prospect Keenan Boi. We took note of the top prospects and performers from either side.

GIPPSLAND POWER 7.5 | 10.5 | 15.11 | 17.13 (115)
GWV REBELS 0.2 | 5.8 | 6.11 | 7.16 (58)

GOALS:
Gippsland Power: K. Boi 4, H. Allsop 2, C. Fischer 2, C. Templeton 2, C. Dent, A. Finsterer, J. Froud, O. Henwood, X. Ladbrook, L. Macumber, C. Rand
GWV Rebels: A. Elliott 3, E. Drever, O. Henderson, M. Hughes, L. Munyard

BEST:
Gippsland Power: O. Henwood, K. Boi, C. Dent, C. Snell, J. Little, C. Templeton
GWV Rebels: E. Drever, L. Ellerton, A. Elliott, J. O’Brien, M. Hughes, H. Welsh

>> Scouting Notes: Pios, Chargers claim close wins

GIPPSLAND POWER:

#3 Jimmy Little
Small Defender | 179cm | 06/03/2009

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

The speedy backman caught the eye early with a harpoon-like forward 50 entry. He remained a threat by foot throughout the day and gained plenty of meterage along the way. Little was particularly difficult to catch and his agility gave the Rebels headaches. Importantly, he served as a last line of defence in a number of instances. 

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

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 tackles, 4 goals

It was a breakout game for the electric small forward, who was lethal. His mere presence caused defenders to err and he snapped up the opportunities gleefully. All four of his goals were miraculous. Firstly, he capitalised on an errant kick-out, drilling a goal from about 50 meters out. His others were split-second snaps where he turned half-chances into goals. Boi was confident enough to take on opponents via his superlative leg speed and reaped the rewards as a result. 

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 2 goals

This pocket rocket continues to be a dynamic and compelling forward-half player. Templeton spent the majority of the game on the ball and enjoyed the opportunity to run and bounce through the middle, at times taking back-to-back bounces just for the sake of it. Templeton’s explosiveness makes him an asset in the midfield, it also led to a memorable goal on the run that saw him leave opposition midfielders trailing behind. 

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

Stats: 24 disposals, 6 tackles, 6 clearances, 1 goal

Despite his age, the left-footer was the Power’s biggest body at the coalface. He proved handy at stoppages, capable of winning clearances and distributing efficiently when in possession. Henwood was a steady accumulator on the day and eventually involved himself in scores and even got on the scoreboard himself. 

#41 Clancy Snell
Key Defender | 196cm | 21/06/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 11 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Snell played a significant part in holding the opposition to just seven goals. The key defender doubled as a barricade, you just couldn’t get past him. No player took more marks than Snell. He literally and figuratively stood tall throughout, clunking marks deep inside defensive 50 and was near unbeatable one-on-one. 

GWV REBELS:

#3 Michael Hughes
Midfielder | 181cm | 17/07/2008

Stats: 29 disposals, 5 marks, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

The Rebels wanted the ball in Hughes’ hands. His poise and competence by foot were utilised in the difficult early stages of the contest. The midfielder was tasked with taking kick-outs at some points for the same reasons. The left-footer racked up plenty of ball across half back but spent a bulk of his time on the ball, where he was also productive. Hughes also kicked a nice goal out of a centre bounce in the second quarter. 

#4 Ethan Drever
Midfielder | 188cm | 10/07/2008

Stats: 31 disposals, 9 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 goal

The rugged midfielder deserves plenty of praise for his tenacity in the face of adversity. Drever led the game for disposals and earned just about every one. He burrowed in valiantly, desperate to uplift his struggling side. His grunt work saw the Rebels reach a more respectable score line in the end. Drever’s week-to-week consistency is admirable. 

#6 Harrison Welsh
Midfielder/Forward | 179cm | 23/08/2009

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 tackles, 6 clearances, 8 inside 50s

One of the many impressive bottom-agers on the field, Welsh played predominantly on-ball and showed off some clean ball handling and rabid stoppage work. The nuggety midfielder also looked solid as a small forward. His hard-nosed and highly competitive approach served him well as dour defenders attempted to halt his side’s onslaught.  

#14 Archie Elliott
Forward | 182cm | 10/03/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 8 marks, 3 goals

Elliott finished the game with seven shots on goal, a result any general forward would be pleased with. His output peaked during a terrific second quarter, where he did the bulk of his scoring. Elliott scored from difficult angles, presented well on the lead and applied ample pressure without the ball. Consider his performance a job well done.