GIPPSLAND Power withstood a charge by the Western Jets to win a nailbiting clash by two points at Morwell on Sunday.

The Power went into the round-10 TAC Cup clash with almost a new side.

There were nine changes due to state commitments and injury and five playing their first TAC Cup games.

Nathan Rogers and Sam Cole were regular list players while Tom Crosby was elevated from the rookie list and under-16s Jack Carson and John Butcher.

Will Kelly set up Brent Connelly who opened the scoring for the Power but the Jets responded.

Debutant Rogers created an opportunity for Jaryd Blair and a long penetrating kick by Carson allowed Kelly to kick a long goal and Nathan Grylls and Connelly combined for another.

Carson and Butcher combined for a major only to see the Jets hit back.

Another long forward thrust gave Butcher his second and the Power went into the first change 26 points up.

The Jets had the early momentum in the second before Crosby took a strong mark and goal and some vision by Chris Endres allowed Beau Vernon in for another.

A timely snap by Endres restored some scoreboard respectability for the Power, but the Jets had the initiative despite trailing by 10 points.

The third term was all about pressure as both sides attempted to wrest control of the game.

Connelly opened the scoring for the Power before Nick Stockdale and Crosby combined for his second in what was becoming an impressive debut under pressure.

Some outstanding forward pressure by Kelly gave Blair his second and the Power finally looked as if it was going to surge away.

The level of pressure had risen and neither side was giving an inch with the Power leading by 22 points at the last change.

The last term was like an arm wrestle for the first 15 minutes with both unable to goal.

The Jets were able to snap the deadlock and suddenly there was pressure on the Power.

It was the Jets who seemed the most composed and they had yet another after the Power ruckmen were punished for not being on the line for a set shot.

Despite this, it was the Power that held on at the siren, but the Jets had their tails up and seemingly were coming home stronger.

Score: Gippsland Power 12.16.88 d Western Jets 12.14.86.

Goals - Power: Brent Connelly 3, Jaryd Blair, Tom Crosby, John Butcher 2, Will Kelly, Beau Vernon, Chris Endres 1.

Best - Power: Jaryd Blair, Tom Crosby, Will Kelly, Shane McIntosh, Jack Brown, Sam Kater.

The Power takes on Geelong Falcons at Skilled Stadium on July 1 at 11am.