GIPPSLAND Power have progressed to the Talent League’s final four after defeating Tasmania by 38 points in their quarter-final matchup at Preston City Oval. After a high-octane start from both sides, the Power began to take their chances and the ascendancy in what ended up being a comfortable victory.

The Power’s forward firepower showed out with a brimming list of 11 individual goalkickers which featured a range of talls and smalls. Augustus Finsterer led the charge with 4.4, and while his side was wayward at times, got the job done in the face of Tasmania’s belated fourth quarter fightback.

Tasmania’s season thus ends having qualified for finals via a strong Wildcard Round win on home turf. Meanwhile, Gippsland advances to its second preliminary final meeting with Sandringham in as many years, set to do battle as part of a Mars Stadium double-header on Sunday afternoon.

GIPPSLAND POWER 4.7 | 10.9 | 15.14 | 18.18 (126)
TASMANIA DEVILS 4.2 | 6.4 | 8.7 | 13.10 (88)

GOALS:
Gippsland Power: A. Finsterer 4, A. Mounsey 3, J. Burgiel 2, M. Neocleous 2, W. Burgiel, C. Dent, J. Hilton, J. Little, B. Roscoe, L. Stephenson, C. Templeton
Tasmania Devils: T. Bearman 3, M. Dawkins 3, L. Heazlewood 2, C. Oliver 2, M. Brown, V. Johnson, M. Young

BEST:
Gippsland Power: J. Burgiel, A. Finsterer, K. Boi, M. Neocleous, X. Ladbrook, C. Templeton
Tasmania Devils: T. Geappen, J. Beams, M. Gulliver, T. Bearman, O. Freeland, M. Dawkins

GIPPSLAND POWER:

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

Stats: 24 disposals, 8 clearances, 10 inside 50s, 2 goals

Watching Burgiel burst out of stoppages was like groundhog day, with the midfielder dominating at centre ball-ups. His exhilarating turn of foot and ability to take ground were best shown with a ripping running goal in the first term, where he took several bounces and steadied before finishing the job. Burgiel’s powerful bursts and evasive technique made him difficult to contain throughout the day as he continually surged the ball inside 50. He did his best to make polished decisions with those final entry kicks and found space to bag a second goal in the final quarter.

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

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 5 behinds

If not for some wayward finishing, Boi could have ended up with a phenomenal stat line. The energetic forward had to settle for five minor scores, but had a hand in several goals with his ability to break the line and apply defensive pressure. He was dangerous without being deadly, often showing great instincts to pounce on defensive errors or take ground en route to goal. In combination with fellow small forward Marlon Neocleous, Boi caused headaches all day.

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

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

Afforded a permanent run in midfield, Templeton showed his ability to bring the game forward with several stoppage breakaways. The skipper made a concerted effort to drive his legs and attack, often dishing out fend-offs and looking to take on tacklers. He was also prepared to apply pressure and blocks, playing the team game. His crash-and-bash style was an asset around the ball all day, and he found reward for effort with a mark and goal in the final term.

#11 Marlon Neocleous
Small Forward | 168cm | 26/02/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals

Neocleous formed a rampant small forward pairing with Boi, as the pair’s pressure and smarts helped conjure scoring opportunities all day. The diminutive talent wasn’t afraid to take his moments, pouncing on any opportunity to break towards goal or get a shot off. Neocleous just as readily put teammates into scoring positions with his creative foot skills inside 50. Both his goals came during an impactful second term and he ended up running out the game in midfield.

#22 Augustus Finsterer
Tall Forward | 191cm | 27/05/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 marks, 4 goals, 4 behinds

One of a few marking forwards at Gippsland’s disposal, Finsterer provided a real focal point with his work rate inside 50. He covered plenty of ground close to goal, presenting as a marking option but just as readily mopping up at ground level and shifting into dangerous space over the back. His mobility was impressive in each phase of the game, although he left a few chances out there with a haul of 4.4. Still, Finsterer’s smarts and versatility made him a difficult matchup.

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

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks, 2 clearances

A lively type capable of playing at either end of the ground, Fischer produced plenty of eye-catching moments down back. He read the play beautifully and used his athleticism to intercept, arriving at the contest quickly and showcasing a spring-heeled leap. The bottom-ager’s strong hands and sharp foot skills served him well throughout the day as he looked to turn defence into attack. His ability to operate off a high line made his daring instincts all the more potent.

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 9 marks, 3 rebound 50s

It was another excellent attacking display from Gippsland’s athletic key defender. Ladbrook had a couple of shaky early moments but put them in the rear-view mirror to begin impacting on the intercept and rebound. His running power and distributive skills were typically present, with the 201cm phenom able to launch several counterattacks at speed. He wasn’t afraid to venture into advanced positions and often used his momentum off turnover to do so. A rare breed.

TASMANIA DEVILS:

#5 Jake Beams
Wing | 181cm | 22/12/2009

Stats: 28 disposals, 12 marks, 5 inside 50s

In potentially an insight as to how he may be utilised next year, Beams was stationed out on a wing. He connected each third of the ground, providing an outlet in defensive transition while also posing a threat in the front half. The bottom-ager mixed up his ball use to either craft finessed kicks or penetrate long into attack, even blasting three minor scores on the fly. Beams’ ability to spark combination play and put speed on the ball made him one of Tasmania’s most potent users. He facilitates end-to-end passages with a wealth of uncontested possessions – 20 on Saturday.

#6 Archie Devine (North Melbourne NGA)
Defender | 181cm | 13/02/2008

Stats: 35 disposals, 10 marks, 8 rebound 50s

Devine comfortably led all comers with a massive haul of 35 disposals, including his fair share of kick-ins. The playmaking defender identified and hit targets at will, utilising his punchy foot skills to distribute the ball efficiently. While he racked up plenty of possessions deep in defence, Devine was also capable of operating off a high line and the Devils were reliant on his sound decision making. Elevating his game will involve making more daring decisions and defending harder.

#9 Sam Husband
Midfielder | 178cm | 17/09/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 marks, 8 inside 50s

Another of Tasmania’s impressive bottom-agers, Husband showed he could shift gears and connect into attacking 50 from midfield. He was clean and poised by hand while pulling off punchy kicks on the move, often delivering the ball with his patented style. Husband’s side-step and acceleration were assets in ensuring he had the time and space to execute his skills. A polished operator.

#13 Thomas Bearman
Forward | 181cm | 19/07/2009

Stats: 10 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 3 goals

Bearman set himself apart as one of the most clinical forwards afield, only needing a few opportunities to make his impact felt. He slotted two of his three goals in the first half, the second being a classy checkside finish after stepping back to floor his opponent. The bottom-ager sporadically worked up the ground where his field kicking was just as effective, but he always looks most threatening inside 50 where he can take strong marks and reliably hit the scoreboard.

#16 Max Gulliver
Midfielder | 178cm | 04/11/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 tackles, 5 clearances

While Tasmania was beaten in the contested ball and clearance stakes, Gulliver led his side in both departments. The bottom-ager offered a direct counter to Burgiel with his ability to burst away from stoppage and surge the ball forward. His physicality and core strength were evident in several centre breaks, where he drove his legs before launching the ball inside 50. Gulliver also filled his boots on the outside and showed great competitiveness throughout the day. With a bit more polish on his disposal, Gulliver’s hard work can hurt the opposition even more.

#19 Max Dawkins
Small Forward | 171cm | 05/05/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 3 inside 50s, 3 goals

Along with fellow bottom-ager Lucas Heazlewood, Dawkins lit up the forward 50 with flashes of brilliance. While not overly prolific, he consistently looked to take the game on with his speed and attacking instincts, which also translated to crashing through windows of scoring opportunities. He booted three goals on the fly, breaking through traffic and thumping the ball home to give his side some respectability on the scoreboard. He’s always lively.

#21 Tom Geappen
Wing/Forward | 182cm | 28/07/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 5 marks, 6 inside 50s

Geappen had claims on being Tasmania’s best on ground with his composed work off the wing. He used the ball with incredible poise and neat fundamental skills, calmly stepping around opponents to free up his leg and hit targets. The top-ager made terrific decisions in all parts of the ground and was able to hurt Gippsland when sending the ball inside 50, where he often got the ball in deep. Despite his role and style, he is deceptively capable of absorbing or dishing out contact.