Greater Western Victoria brought the NAB League premiership race back to life and gave itself a chance to pinch a top three spot by overrunning Gippsland by 11 points at Shepley Oval on Sunday.
The Rebels paced the ladder leader for three quarters, edging ahead for the first time midway through the third on the back of an Aaron Cadman goal, but it looked like the Power would have the answers when Vinnie Caia put them back in front nine minutes into the last.
However, Beau Tedcastle and Nelson Troon hit back almost immediately, and when Cadman kicked a clutch late goal on the run from 40m on the boundary GWV had inflicted Gippsland’s second loss in three games and set themselves up to potentially pinch a bye on the Wildcard Weekend – and the Rebels will know if it is achievable or not by the time they play Geelong on the final Sunday.
Mitch Moschetti returned from an impressive VFL stint with Carlton to be Gippsland’s best, picking up 28 possessions, seven tackles and six rebounds, with support coming from Paddy Cross (20, five tackles, six entries), Jonti Schuback (20) and Cooper Vickery (18, six rebounds), while Zane Duursma was held to 13 touches but still impacted with two goals, and Bailey Humphrey provided a strong presence up forward in his second game back from a knee injury with six marks, but kicked 1.4.
Excerpt taken from article published by NAB League, which can be viewed in full here.
#5 Bailey Humphrey
Having bustled his way into first round contention, Humphrey started like a house on fire and looked like taking a complete hold on the game early on. By quarter time, he already had 1.3 and a goal assist, utilising his power to make a menace of himself inside 50. Whether it was bursting out of tackles, monstering his opponent one-on-one, or kicking the bladder out the ball, Humphrey was imposing as ever. He struggled to stay out of the line of fire once shifted into midfield, with an errant kick to the face in term three summing up his second half fortunes.
#6 Mitchell Moschetti
With his side needing a serious lift, Moschetti looked to be the man in midfield who could spark the Power to victory. As per usual, he had little trouble finding the ball and lead all comers with 28 disposals, though struggled at times to make full use of them – lacking the same type of kick penetration as someone like Humphrey. Still, he stood up when his team needed him and produced a massive final term.
#7 Jacob Konstanty
Consistency is a factor which holds Konstanty back at times, but the flashes of brilliance he produces each week make him such an enticing prospect. Once again, the small forward had moments of great aerial work for his size, while applying strong tackling pressure and proving a real goal threat. He was lively when the ball entered his area, and a courageous mark in the third term earned him a crucial major – after a couple of set shot misses.
#9 Zane Duursma
Duursma’s numbers may not jump off the page, but he looked like being one of the more damaging Power products throughout a trying battle. Always an aerial threat, he looked to take the ball at its highest point and was able to display his athleticism in those situations. Duursma booted both of his goals in the first half, from kicks over the mark which hardly looked like missing. A clean centre break and lace-out pass to Humphrey inside 50 was another of his highlights.
Excerpt taken from article published by Rookie Me Central, which can be viewed in full here.
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