GIPPSLAND Power burst out of the blocks in their 32-point win over Sandringham at Morwell Recreation Reserve on Saturday. The hosts kicked five goals to one during the opening quarter of their Round 20 clash, and rallied again in term three to set up a comfortable victory.

The Dragons were restricted to just one goal in their time kicking away from the scoring end, but added some late respectability to the scoreboard after being 43 points in arrears at three-quarter time. The result marked Gippsland’s fifth win in a row, while Sandringham continues to go win-for-loss.

GIPPSLAND POWER 5.3 | 8.5 | 11.8 | 13.11 (89)
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 1.1 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 8.9 (57)

GOALS:
Gippsland Power: A. Finsterer 4, J. Froud 2, H. Allsop, K. Boi, K. Jones, L. Macumber, A. Mounsey, M. Pendergast, C. Templeton
Sandringham Dragons: A. Grikis 3, O. Mangoni 2, A. Aujard, C. Brookes, M. Torcasio

BEST:
Gippsland Power: J. Burgiel, C. Templeton, L. Macumber, C. Fischer, C. Rand
Sandringham Dragons: L. Burrows, E. Walker, M. Matthews, M. Torcasio, A. Grikis

GIPPSLAND POWER:

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

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 1 goal

The dogged small forward played mostly on the ball, where he fed off Gippsland’s bigger-bodied ball winners. Macumber worked hard to create overlap run and generate forward-half plays. His ball use was reliable, and he hit the scoreboard with a nice goal in general play. 

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

Stats: 23 disposals, 7 marks, 1 goal

Templeton was typically dangerous inside 50, particualrly one-on-one. He only just missed on a couple of scoring opportunities which would have made his day even more enjoyable. In the second half, he played more around the ball and was occasionally powerful around stoppages and decisive with ball in hand generally. 

#20 Cooper Rand
Midfielder | 179cm

Stats: 22 disposals, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 1 goal

Rand stood out as the only helmeted player but was also eye-catching for his zip around contests. At the coalface, he tackled ruthlessly and exhibited efficient ball-handling. In the third term, he pounced on a loose ball inside 50 and finished off with a tidy snap to extend Gippsland’s lead. 

#27 Charlie Fischer
Small Defender | 179cm | 07/04/2009

Stats: 16 disposals, 7 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Fischer was key in blunting the Dragon’s offence in the first half. He used his speed to close down leading opponents and spoiled plenty of marking opportunities. The bottom-ager was able to clear the ball from deep inside defensive 50 against larger opponents and showed impressive determination throughout the match. 

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

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 3 rebound 50s

The highly-rated backman didn’t have his usual impact aerially but was nonetheless solid. Snell was the sturdiest key defender on the ground, never looking overwhelmed when under pressure and steady under high balls. He was managed for the majority of the second half as the game was well in control. 

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#3 Max Matthews
Defender | 186cm | 01/04/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 4 rebound 50s

The rebounding defender was his side’s most prolific player for the afternoon. The left-footer was useful when taking kick-outs, utilising his penetrating foot skills to find players up the field. Matthews advanced the ball more than any of his teammates and aided in generating scores. 

#17 Lochie Burrows
Utility | 179cm | 18/08/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 marks, 9 tackles

The rugged utility played across the three lines and attacked every contest with similar intensity. As a defender, he wriggled out of tackles and held opponents accountable inside defensive 50. At the other end, he was reliably found at the top of the arc where he delivered to his deep forwards. 

#64 Eamonn Walker
Midfielder | 178cm | 17/08/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles

Walker was another of the Dragons’ busiest players. He split his time between the midfield and defence, where he picked up plenty of loose ball across half-back. He looked to move the ball on whenever in possession and created speed on the ball when there wasn’t previously. 

#76 Archie Grikis
Tall Forward | 194cm

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 3 goals

It could have been an even more lopsided first half if Grikis didn’t play. The tall forward kicked his side’s first three goals and did his best work when the ball hit the ground by seizing on half-chances. He crumbed the Dragons’ opening major, wheeling around on his right late in the first quarter. In the second quarter, he reacted quickly when denied a set shot opportunity, throwing the ball onto the boot and receiving a lucky bounce for goal number two.