Gippsland Power’s girls season is over after an 11.5(71) to 8.4(52) loss to Murray Bushrangers at Shepley Oval on Sunday.
The Bushrangers led for the whole first half before a five-goal third quarter for the Power flipped the game on its head.
Pakenham’s Abby Hobson was the clear best afield with 13 disposals, 10 marks and three goals, and two of her majors came in quick succession to give the Power the lead for the first time all day at the 17-minute-mark of the third term.
Minutes later, Acacia Sutton cleverly won a free kick for a deliberate rushed behind and converted the goal, giving Gippsland an 11-point lead at the last break.
It was an incredible turn around, having trailed by as much as 14 points and forced to absorb an avalanche of pressure at different times in the first half.
But it was short lived.
Murray kicked six goals to one in an excellent last quarter to overrun the Power and end their season.
It was an incredible 50th match in Gippsland colours for star halfback Ella Stoddart.
After playing two Under-16s games for the Power, Stoddart has played 10, 10, 15 and 13 games for the program across the 2022-2025 seasons respectively.
She averaged 18 disposals and three tackles in 2025 and is one of Gippsland’s leading prospects, with a booming goal from outside the 50-metre arc in the third term a showcase of the excitement, dash and kicking penetration she’s offered Gippsland during her time involved.
Other strong performers on Sunday included ruck Maya Crestani and bottom-aged duo Grace Dillow and Lily Milner.
Meanwhile, Gippsland’s boys enjoyed a light training run on Sunday morning, having earned the week off after a top-placed finish in the Coates League.
The Power will face Geelong Falcons this weekend.
