A smooth-moving backman standing at over 200cm is one of the players driving the Gippsland Power\u2019s pursuit of a first Talent League premiership in 21 years. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Power will be out to continue their impressive campaign when they take on the Tasmania Devils in the boys\u2019 Talent League quarter-final on Saturday at Preston City Oval.<\/p>\n
The match will be live streamed on KommunityTV from 1.30pm, along with the girls\u2019 preliminary final between the Oakleigh Chargers and Murray Bushrangers from 1.10pm.<\/p>\n
Gippsland Power talent lead Scott McDougal said the towering Ladbrook had some \u201cvery good athletic traits\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cBehind the ball he can take some territory, he\u2019s 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\u2019ve got them,\u201d McDougal said. <\/p>\n
\u201cAt 202cm he\u2019s very rangy, off the ground, his ground balls are elite, his hands are elite. His handball and run and carry game\u2019s very good, and he\u2019s a nice kick. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a good package, he\u2019s just got to get really dominant in games in the back half of the year and clubs will see what his value is.\u201d<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Neocleous is one of the x-factor small forwards of this year\u2019s draft class and has been flying at both school and Talent League level. <\/p>\n
\u201cMarlon\u2019s the ultimate professional, he does what he does consistently every week and he\u2019s got some real tricks,\u201d McDougal said. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Played Tassie at Shepley early in year, both missing key players. \u201cHopefully we\u2019ll get a nice competitive hit-out which we can get over the line in.\u201d<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had a really good year \u2026 the top-age boys have been really good, the private school kids have had a really good impact with their footy, and we\u2019ve been able to blood another good batch of bottom-age kids that are really exciting as well,\u201d McDougal said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully we\u2019ll get a nice competitive hit-out which we can get over the line in.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A smooth-moving backman standing at over 200cm is one of the players driving the Gippsland Power\u2019s pursuit 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