Karl Brown found his kicking mojo on Saturday against Gippsland Power to lead the Calder Cannons to their first win of the TAC Cup season.
Having struggled to convert in front of goal in the first four rounds, Brown kicked nine goals straight as the Cannons recorded a crunching 19.8 (122)-10.10 (70) win.
Slow starters this season, the Cannons were on from the first bounce against the Power and enjoyed a 25-point lead at the first break.
Their lead at half-time was 43 points, but a Power fightback reduced the margin to 22 going into the last term.
The Cannons closed the game out with their best quarter.
Cannons coach Andrew Johnston was rapt that his players maintained their focus.
“We played well throughout,” he said. “Both sides were under the pump, having not won a game.
Johnston praised the efforts of Brown, who began to show some of his form of last year and was clearly best on ground.
“With Vic Metro, they’ve wanted him to play up the ground a bit more,” Johnston said.
“This week we played him closer to goal and backed his strengths to get his hands on the ball. He’d been doing that but just not kicking goals. The delivery from midfield was 100 per cent better as well.”
Zachary Guthrie played his best game for the Cannons, while Tyson Lever’s development continued.
“Tyson’s had a good year,” Johnston said. “It was about making sure he was playing his role, and he’s got the message on how to do that. Zac has been really consistent and has a great ability to find the ball. It’s his first year in the system and yesterday showed how far he’s come.”
Bradley Bernacki, Jack Reaper and Jaidyn Owen continued their good form.
Johnston said that there were still nine Cannons players in contention for the final Vic Metro under-18 team.
The Power is the last Victorian team without a win this season after the Northern Knights tasted victory against Tasmania on Sunday.
The Knights withstood a second-half comeback from Tasmania to win 10.13 (73)- 7.13 (55).
