Jackson Macrae the hero as Oakleigh win TAC Cup premiership Sam Landsberger
From: Herald Sun
September 23, 2012 2:00PM
JACKSON Macrae regards one of his footy strengths as his ability to read the play.
The top draft prospect said last month: “I’ll see things others won’t see.”
Well, it was a case of hearing things other didn’t today as the courageous midfielder became Oakleigh’s flag hero by kicking the golden point as the Chargers fought off Gippsland Power in overtime at Etihad Stadium.
And while most players on the ground had no clue the clock had elapsed and the next score would win under a bizarre AFL Victoria rule, Macrae said he was aware of the game situation after a debrief with the runner.
Macrae , who stands 188cm and 75kg, knew when he threw the ball onto his left foot from the boundary line he was about to seal a memorable TAC Cup premiership triumph.
The golden point capped a golden match from Macrae, whose meteoric rise in 2012 could now see him snapped up inside the top 10 in this year’s draft.
Jack Viney aside, he is Oakleigh’s top prospect and headlines a group of 15 players from today’s grand final likely to land on AFL lists.
“His ability to rack up possessions and read the game is really uncanny,” Chargers region manager Mark Smart said of Macrae, who is working hard on his kicking penetration – the one flaw in his well-rounded style.
Macrae’s match-winning behind sealed the TAC Cup medal for best-afield after a 28-possession match which included a goal and a jaw-dropping ability to feed out handballs with shrewd vision to unlock forward thrusts in the 12.10 (82) to 12.9 (81) victory.
About 45 seconds before Macrae’s winner, next year’s possible No. 1 draft pick Jake Billings took a grab inside 50 before passing to Tim MacMillan.
The siren would have sounded as the brother of North Melbourne’s Jamie MacMillan lined up for goal, but with his kick a chance to tie the scores the buzzer was averted under the rule.
MacMillan goaled, the ball went back to the middle and golden point time started – a scenario Oakleigh discussed at training last week.
The Chargers mowed down a 12-point deficit in the final term after Gippsland spearhead Tim Membrey dragged his side in front and ultimately within a second of premiership glory.
Membrey roved his own marking contest before slotting his third of four goals from 45m to spark the Power in the final term and looks certain to be taken in the first round of the draft.
The power forward, likened to Jack Darling, finished with 4.3 while Morrish Medallist Nick Graham was Gippsland’s best.
The midfield jet showed his class with a third-quarter goal from the boundary and courageous mark running back with the flight, while Anthony “Tippa” Tipungwuti provided the match highlight with a powerful burst in the third quarter.
Tipungwuti dove on a pack before sneaking clear and winning an outside handball before streaming down the wing and taking three bounces.
The gut-running machine then shot a handball to Josh Scott who goaled on the run in a moment similar to Lewis Jetta’s outstanding goal for Sydney on Friday night.
Power coach Nick Stevens said last week: “I'd compare Tippa to a Chris Yarran or an Eddie Betts at the same age.
“This boy's got as much talent as they have. I really hope he gets the opportunity because he's worked hard and deserves a chance at AFL football.”
Scott goaled again moments later with a flying snap, while Billings showed why he is so hotly talked about as he won a hard ball and crashed through a tackle to run into an open goal and steady Oakleigh in the third term.
Bottom-age Charger Jay Kennedy-Harris showed off plenty of tricks and looks a strong prospect for next season despite his 64kg frame.
Macrae, who earlier this season likened himself to Geelong superstar Stevie Johnson on Fox Footy, showed he’s an AFL media manager’s dream-in-waiting, giving little away minutes after the win.
“Anyone of us could’ve won (the TAC Cup medal), it was a great team effort,” he said.
“About 10-15 boys could’ve won this medal and it shows our great depth.”
The Chargers, who lost last year’s grand final, and Power stars will now join other TAC Cup AFL prospects in preparing for October’s draft combine.
