Gippsland bounced back from its shock loss last week to hammer Northern by 100 points at Morwell on Saturday to all-but wrap up the minor premiership.
The Power kicked four goals to one in the first and third terms and six to two in the second and last quarters in a consistent performance to overwhelm the Knights, gathering a massive 143 more disposals and a whopping 60-24 discrepancy with inside-50s, and now only need to win one of their last two games to guarantee top spot entering the finals.
Bailey Humphrey had a career day for Gippsland, racking up 31 disposals, taking 12 marks, laying five tackles and kicking 4.5, while Jonti Schuback also had his best NAB League game with 36 possessions, 11 marks, eight entries and a goal.
Coby Burgiel (29 touches, six marks, 3.2), Zane Duursma (29, nine marks, 2.4), Paddy Cross (26, six marks, six tackles, one goal), Joel Scholtes (21, seven marks), Cooper Vickery (19, five marks) and Archer Reid (six marks, three goals) also did as they pleased.
Excerpt taken from article published by NAB League, which can be viewed in full here.
#5 Bailey Humphrey
The returning Gippsland Power skipper had himself a day out, and was a clear best on ground in the 100-point win. Playing predominantly forward and rotating through the midfield, he showed off his power and strength in the air and on the lead, providing too strong for his opponents. The one area of his game that needs improving is just that finishing capability, with Humphrey kicking 4.5 and had a couple go out of bounds, with many of the assumption that Humphrey could have finished the day with double-figure goals. Keep an eye out for our NAB League Player Focus on his performance tomorrow.
#7 Jacob Konstanty
Thrived through the middle and when forward being that creative player in front half of the ground. His kicking was sublime and kicked a goal after running hard forward, and set up multiple others with a couple of bullet passes inside 50, hitting up both Duursma and Paddy Cross. He played onball and won clearances, and showed his defensive intensity with an outstanding smother in the forward pocket.
#9 Zane Duursma
Much like Humphrey, Duursma could have absolutely feasted in front of goal had he had his kicking boots on, booting 2.4 and one out on the full. Despite that last kicking finishing going a little awry, Duursma’s leading inside 50, his clean hands and fearless attitude to throw himself at the pack was very noticeable. He won a number of key clearances, often starting in the centre bounce and getting an early clearance which has become a trademark of his. Given the bottom-ager still has another year to come, there is still plenty to look forward to for the rest of this season and in 2023.
#10 Jonti Schuback
It was like jumping in a time machine watching Schuback wind back the clock to his best. One of the standout Under 16 performers for Vic Country, Schuback has been impressive without completely dominating, but on the weekend, he did the latter. Racking up a whopping 36 disposals – around double his season average – Schuback was prolific, often taking multiple bounces and tucking the ball under the arm to break the lines. He sidestepped opponents, mopped up in defence, cut up opposition zones with his kicking and then when he went forward took a mark in space and nailed the set shot goal.
#15 Coby Burgiel
Worked well returning to the side with Humphrey and was just as good early, kicking his three goals in the first half, including two within a minute both on the run. He too had his chances with some shots on goal that missed, but spent more time in the midfield later in the game, then pushed hard to help out the defence, doing a bit of everything. He won a lot of the ball through the middle, releasing by hand or kicking inside 50 to leading targets, Burgiel will be a welcome addition to the Power side once school football is finished, amassing 29 disposals, six marks and booting 3.2.
#22 Archer Reid
Looming as one of the top key position players in next year’s AFL Draft, Reid was impressive playing up forward, slotting three goals for the game and remaining active throughout the match. He was strong overhead, read the ball well and takes it at the highest point, but is equally clean below his knees. Working hard to be a kick out option in defence when playing as a higher forward, Reid is always a reliable target. His first two goals came from close range, but his third was a great pickup off the deck in the final term after an opponent left it behind and snapped around his body to sail home.
#40 Max Knobel
The big man showed some impressive traits rotating between he ruck and forward, and though still raw was able to be a presence inside 50. He did miss a set shot from 40m in the final term, but kicked the goal of the day in the third, when at the 14-minute mark, cleaned up a dropped mark, recovered and snapped around his body from 45m to sail home much to the thrill of the crowd. Not a huge possession winner, but he is able to cleanly take it out of the ruck and give it off, with enough smarts to work with in the future.
Excerpt taken from article published by Rookie Me Central, which can be viewed in full here.
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