GIPPSLAND Power snapped their 21-year premiership drought in Saturday’s Talent League decider, led by a breakout game from co-captain Cody Templeton. Such a performance has been a long time coming for the tough and powerful midfielder-forward, who finally gained “reward for effort”.

Post-game at Whitten Oval, the five-goal hero reflected on how he has improved as a footballer throughout the Power pathway, and the specific traits which have allowed him to shine individually as the fearless leader of a team.

“Three years, two years ago, I’m probably not kicking five as a forward,” he said. “I’m that mid that tries to get it and put it long and try to be a high meters gained player.

“So just really trying to adapt and add some more tricks to my game and really align that versatility to try give me more opportunities and do whatever the team needs.

“A game like this where it was a fair bit of offence, running and high-speed stuff, that was probably not a strength at the start of the year and the end of last year. So it was a lot of reward for effort with the early mornings and all that sort of stuff… it helped me out today.”

Along with extracting more out of his running tank and becoming more versatile, “bringing the energy” was another key to Templeton’s premiership success. In particular, it helped prove a point in light of Gippsland’s 50-point loss to the Stingrays back in Round 2.

“We came away from that day just thinking we got bullied in a sense,” Templeton said. “We didn’t really stand up to how we play from a physical standpoint, we just let them come to us. Today was just about holding our own, embracing all the hard and the tough [work].

Being neighbouring regions who both supply the Vic Country talent pool, the two teams were already quite well acquainted before Saturday’s game. But even with recent history in mind, Templeton says he “had full confidence” in his team.

“It’s a bit of a grudge match against Dandy, so I was just prepared to go all in, contest after contest,” he said. “But I had this funny feeling all week that we were going to get up, I had a good feeling about it. So for it to pan out in the way that we got up, I was pretty thrilled.”

The true litmus test for Templeton’s leadership came at half time of the Grand Final, with his team trailing by seven points. His message aligned perfectly with Gippsland’s typical ‘never say die’ mantra.

“It was just [about] reminding everyone not to give in,” Templeton said. “We’re just as much of a threat as what they are to us. So we really tried to embrace that and get the energy out of everyone to play our best footy.”

What followed was a barnstorming third quarter, highlighted by seven goals from a Power unit which had posted just four before the main break. Templeton bagged two in quick succession, while star forward Wil Malady contributed a run of three en route to matching his skipper’s five-goal haul.

“From a team standpoint mentally, we were down for the first two quarters so to really stay in the game, I’m happy for everyone,” Templeton said.

In terms of what the win meant to Templeton, the well-spoken 18-year-old was happy to have a few late minutes to “soak it up” before the inevitable feelings of relief and joy.

“It’s huge,” he said. “It’s just like any premiership, whether it’s in the twos at your local club or AFL Grand Final or the Talent League. It’s huge to be able to play and lead these boys.

“It means so much. So much goes on behind the scenes, not just for myself and my family, but all the talent pathway [regions], all the coaches. They sacrifice so much and there’s just so much backing from everyone in Power and in the Talent League. So it means [a lot] to give a bit of reward for all the effort.”

Templeton will now turn his attention to the Victorian State Draft Combine in Melbourne on October 3, where he’ll once again look to showcase his improved running ability and unteachable determination in the range of physical tests.