By Nick Schomburgk
A disastrous second half resulted in North Ballarat Rebels’ third loss of the season, falling short to Gippsland Power by 13 points in Sunday’s clash at Morwell.
The Rebels, who led by 50 points late in the second quarter, capitulated after half time to suffer a disappointing 12.8 (80) to 12.21 (93) defeat.
Late goals from Gippsland before half time reduced the Rebels’ lead to 37 points at the main break, which was just enough to give the home side a sniff.
The Power would go on to kick five unanswered goals in the third term, reducing their deficit to just a solitary point at the final change.
A much-needed goal from Rebel Joe Symons early in the last quarter provided some hope, but the upbeat Power quickly surged past North Ballarat and never looked back.
Rebels’ coach David Loader suspected at half time that the scoreboard flattered his side, a belief which quickly proved to be prophetic.
“Even though we were well in front (at half time), there were still a couple parts of our game that weren’t probably gelling,” Loader said. “We actually identified in the coaches box that there were a couple of things that weren’t going that great, but we were continuing to score. So we probably got a little bit lucky.Then, in the second half, it really unraveled.”
The Rebels’s strong percentage keeps them on top of the TAC Cup ladder, but they will need to get back on the winners’ list when they host Calder Cannons at Eureka Stadium on Saturday.
A disastrous second half resulted in North Ballarat Rebels’ third loss of the season, falling short to Gippsland Power by 13 points in Sunday’s clash at Morwell.
The Rebels, who led by 50 points late in the second quarter, capitulated after half time to suffer a disappointing 12.8 (80) to 12.21 (93) defeat.
Late goals from Gippsland before half time reduced the Rebels’ lead to 37 points at the main break, which was just enough to give the home side a sniff.
The Power would go on to kick five unanswered goals in the third term, reducing their deficit to just a solitary point at the final change.
A much-needed goal from Rebel Joe Symons early in the last quarter provided some hope, but the upbeat Power quickly surged past North Ballarat and never looked back.
Rebels’ coach David Loader suspected at half time that the scoreboard flattered his side, a belief which quickly proved to be prophetic.
“Even though we were well in front (at half time), there were still a couple parts of our game that weren’t probably gelling,” Loader said. “We actually identified in the coaches box that there were a couple of things that weren’t going that great, but we were continuing to score. So we probably got a little bit lucky.Then, in the second half, it really unraveled.”
The Rebels’s strong percentage keeps them on top of the TAC Cup ladder, but they will need to get back on the winners’ list when they host Calder Cannons at Eureka Stadium on Saturday.
MATCH RESULTSGippsland Power 2.4-16 4.5-29 9.12-66 12.21 (93) defeated North Ballarat Rebels 5.3-33 10.6-66 10.7-67 12.8 (80) GIPPSLAND POWER Goal Kickers: L. Robinson 3, A. Ferreira 2, T. Papley 2, J. Patullo , B. McKay , H. McKay , K. Renooy , B. Ainsworth Best Players: , J. Patullo , K. Renooy , B. Ainsworth , E. Park , A. Ferreira , T. Papley NORTH BALLARAT REBELS Goal Kickers: E. Frank 3, M. Johnston 2, Wheelahan 2, J. Jones , L. McLeod , C. Wellings , J. Cowan , J. Korewha Best Players: , J. Webster , A. Cleary , H. Dawborn , J. Symons , B. Lusby , J. Korewha | POSTMATCH |