A smooth-moving backman standing at over 200cm is one of the players driving the Gippsland Power’s pursuit of a first Talent League premiership in 21 years.

AFL Academy squad member Xavier Ladbrook, who turned out for Vic Country at the national championships, has shown strong form for the Power since returning from a three-week injury layoff.

The Power will be out to continue their impressive campaign when they take on the Tasmania Devils in the boys’ Talent League quarter-final on Saturday at Preston City Oval.

The match will be live streamed on KommunityTV from 1.30pm, along with the girls’ preliminary final between the Oakleigh Chargers and Murray Bushrangers from 1.10pm.

Gippsland Power talent lead Scott McDougal said the towering Ladbrook had some “very good athletic traits”.

“Behind the ball he can take some territory, he’s played in every position this year, at key back, he can play on a smaller player, he can take a bigger-bodied player if they’ve got them,” McDougal said.

“At 202cm he’s very rangy, off the ground, his ground balls are elite, his hands are elite. His handball and run and carry game’s very good, and he’s a nice kick.

“He’s a good package, he’s just got to get really dominant in games in the back half of the year and clubs will see what his value is.”

Keenan Boi, Judd Burgiel, Cody Templeton and Clancy Snell have all also been in good-form for the Power, as have Caulfield Grammar duo Wil Malady and Marlon Neocleous.

Neocleous is one of the x-factor small forwards of this year’s draft class and has been flying at both school and Talent League level.

“Marlon’s the ultimate professional, he does what he does consistently every week and he’s got some real tricks,” McDougal said.

Dominant ruck Cohen Dent is also set to return to the Power side for the quarter-final, meaning he will form a one-two punch alongside Hamish Gill for the first time this season.

Played Tassie at Shepley early in year, both missing key players. “Hopefully we’ll get a nice competitive hit-out which we can get over the line in.”

Gippsland, who finished the home and away season with a 10-5 record, last met the Devils in round 11 and recorded a comfortable 57-point win, but both sides were missing key players.

“We’ve had a really good year … the top-age boys have been really good, the private school kids have had a really good impact with their footy, and we’ve been able to blood another good batch of bottom-age kids that are really exciting as well,” McDougal said.

“Hopefully we’ll get a nice competitive hit-out which we can get over the line in.”