GIPPSLAND Power flexed their muscle in a dominant 118-point win over Bendigo in Bundoora on Sunday, lifting them into fourth place with a second win on the bounce. The floodgates opened after a steady first term, as Gippsland piled on 15 goals across the middle quarters while restricting Bendigo to just one per period. The Power had access to several of their Vic Country representatives, who feature prominently in our Round 14 Scouting Notes.

GIPPSLAND POWER 2.7 | 9.12 | 17.14 | 21.20 (146)
BENDIGO PIONEERS 1.0 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 4.4 (28)

GOALS:
Gippsland Power: A. Mounsey 4, C. Templeton 4, W. Burgiel 2, C. Dent 2, C. Fischer 2, B. Bibby, K. Boi, A. Finsterer, J. Froud, J. Hilton, X. Ladbrook, C. Snell
Bendigo Pioneers: N. Wade 2, L. Iudica, M. Kiel

BEST:
Gippsland Power: O. Henwood, K. Boi, X. Ladbrook, C. Templeton, C. Dent, J. Hilton
Bendigo Pioneers: C. O’Sullivan, R. Travaglia, T. Griffin, N. Wade, C. Poyser, L. Iudica

GIPPSLAND POWER:

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

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 marks, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

It was another energetic display from Boi, who attacked with intent and creativity. He worked up the ground as usual, providing connection with his speed and ability to hit bullet kicks on the way back to goal. Usually looking to move the ball on quickly, Boi found teammates in space and put Bendigo’s defenders on the back foot. The flip side of that method meant he was a little erratic at times, bursting away to blast the ball towards goal. Still, he scored that way with a snap in term two.

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

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 4 goals

Templeton once again proved his ability to score in bunches, slamming home three consecutive majors in a five-minute burst during the third term. He ended up with 4.2 for the day, pouncing on opportunities to shoot and convert with either foot. It was largely reward for effort, as Templeton was consistently seen applying repeat effort at ground levels, tackling hard and bursting out of packs through sheer force. He was worn tightly by game opponents, but still managed to impact.

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

Stats: 33 disposals, 6 tackles, 9 clearances, 6 inside 50s

Henwood has put together a strong bottom-age campaign, but took his game to another level on Sunday. The classy midfielder led all comers for both contested (19) and uncontested (18) possessions, driving Gippsland’s considerable clearance advantage and accumulating at will on the outside. He displayed unmatched poise and agility in tight spots, twisting and turning his way into space where he could utilise his favoured left foot. Having dominated at centre ball-ups, Henwood increasingly showed his dynamism and ability to do damage around the ground.

#19 Ash Mounsey
Tall Forward | 191cm | 22/10/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 8 marks, 4 goals, 3 behinds

Mounsey was another Gippsland forward who did the bulk of his goalkicking in a short burst, booting three of his majors within as many minutes on either side of three-quarter time. Despite that, he managed to find space inside 50 all day and was a strong marking presence, showing great craft to make use of his side’s frequent entries. His conversion rate may be an area of improvement, although Mounsey judged the wind perfectly with a couple of his later goals.

#37 Alex Ingham
Midfielder | 179cm | 08/02/2010

Stats: 24 disposals, 8 tackles, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s

Breaking out at the level in just his third game, Ingham showed ability indicative of his status as a Vic Country Under 16 representative. Plying his trade in midfield, he had no trouble getting his hands on the ball and worked well in tandem with Henwood to dominate the centre clearance count. His inside craft was further proven with a team-high eight tackles, proving to be a natural inside ball type. Ingham also found ball on the outside and while he invited pressure at times, was consistently able to send it inside 50. Definitely one to watch over the next couple of years.

#39 Cohen Dent
Ruck | 210cm | 08/04/2009

Stats: 8 disposals, 38 hitouts, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals

Dent was utterly dominant in the ruck, aiding his side’s clearance advantage with plenty of effective taps. Gippsland led the centre ball-up hitout count 22-4, with Dent winning 21 of them among his total of 38. The bottom-ager used his sheer size and reach to get first access to the ball and reliably direct it to the likes of Henwood and Ingham at will. He also showed great spatial awareness in open play and snuck forward to kick two goals, rounding out an impactful ruckman’s game.

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

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 13 hitouts, 1 goal

Capable of playing in every key position post, Ladbrook continues to make strides as a forward. His running ability came to the fore on Sunday, with the athletic 201cm talent providing a mobile marking target and looking comfortable in open play. He showed a bit of added grunt with several strong tackles and used his rare reach to at least split aerial contests. Set shot conversion may be a continual area for improvement, but Ladbrook managed to slot one in the first quarter.

#41 Clancy Snell
Key Defender | 196cm | 21/08/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 6 marks, 1 goal

With Gippsland owning territory throughout the game, Snell had to make his moments count. He did so, rising for several impressive marks on the back of strong vertical leaps and extension overhead. The versatile tall was then switched forward in term four and even had a run on-ball, showcasing his athletic ability with outstanding handling, skills and speed in open play. His running goal late in the day only highlighted the immense talent at his disposal.

BENDIGO PIONEERS:

#4 Cruz O’Sullivan
Defender | 183cm | 04/12/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 marks, 10 rebound 50s

Bendigo’s highest disposal getter and most reliable distributor out of defence, O’Sullivan certainly had his hands full. Along with Tyce Griffin, he often matched up on Templeton and more than held his own in one-on-one situations. O’Sullivan read the play well and acted quickly to intercept, while also recovering and disposing of the ball effectively. His ability to bring the play forward with spurts of run and sharp kicks went a long way to relieving pressure deep in defence, although the ball kept on coming back. He did all he could on what was a tough day for the Pioneers.

#14 Riley Travaglia
Wing/Defender | 181cm | 21/03/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 tackles, 2 rebound 50s

Travaglia’s sheer combativeness was a highlight throughout the day. While he spent most of his time on the wing, the bottom-ager led Bendigo for contested possessions (13) and laid several solid tackles. Among his best was a rundown effort in the opening term. Travaglia was also one of his side’s best ball users, exhibiting clean and quick hands. He often looked to chain his possessions with repeat run and was equally efficient by foot, although had limited opportunities to prove it.