Parrots demolish Hawks

WITH a decent contingent of travelling supporters watching on, Leongatha got off to a flying start against host Drouin, goaling within seconds of the opening ball up.

That set the pattern for the day, with Leongatha continuing to score freely.

The Parrots formed a cohesive unit, taking charge from the outset in the ruck and midfield.

Drouin players were unable to apply sustained pressure to Leongatha, which stormed to a 53-point advantage at the first break, holding the Hawks scoreless to that point.

By day’s end, best afield Aaron Hillberg had booted seven goals for the high-flying Parrots, with Jack Ginnane chipping in with four majors.

Leongatha coach Trent McMicking was delighted with Hillberg’s game.

“He’s been building solid form over the year after having a long injury layoff prior to the Covid disruptions,” McMicking said.

Onballer Aaron Heppell also starred, with fellow midfielder Tom Marriott again displaying the kind of football that must have him favourite for the league best and fairest, and slotting a couple of goals.

“They controlled the midfield,” McMicking said of Heppell and Marriott, noting it was hard to split them in terms of their positions on the best players list.

Seth Calway and Harry Wans did best for Drouin.

On a cold and dreary day, Leongatha prevailed by 153 points.

McMicking was pleased with the contributions of all his players in what was another strong team effort, and thought they adjusted well to the tricky wind that blew across the ground.

The match was a stark illustration of the gap between the top and bottom of the ladder, with undefeated Leongatha merciless against a Drouin side that has just one win this season.

Even when leading comfortably, Leongatha maintained its discipline to prevent the Hawks finding an avenue to goal.

The well-oiled Parrots have conceded just 353 points in nine matches at an average of a touch under 40 per game, and are also comfortably the highest scoring team in the competition.

Saturday’s game continued Leongatha’s dominance over the Hawks, having now won 10 of the clubs’ last 11 clashes, with Drouin not having enjoyed success at home against the Parrots since 2008.

After the Queen’s Birthday weekend break, McMicking is looking forward to the challenge his players will face in coming weeks.

A top of the table clash against Traralgon is followed by battles with other well-credentialled opponents in Sale and Wonthaggi.