30-year reunion for the Parrots ’95 premiership team

‘PARROTS bring it on home’ the Sentinel-Times faithfully reported after Leongatha’s stunning GLFL premiership victory over Traralgon at the home ground of the Morwell Tigers on Saturday, September 16, 1995.

Breaking their own record set in 1979 against Traralgon, the Parrots kicked a record grand final score of 23.24.162, defeating Traralgon by 17 points.

Gathering in front of the 1995 premiership flag for the 30-year reunion of their grand final victory, the club’s colours were proudly on display as Leongatha’s greats, past and present, celebrated the club motto Victory through Harmony.

For the players, their memory of the ’95 grand final remained as vivid as if it were yesterday.

Going into the grand final as underdogs, according to the game day match report, the Parrots saved their best till last with Leongatha’s midfield dominating from the first bounce.

Avenging a string of grand final thrashings, victory was made all that much sweeter for the Parrots with three times as many scoring shots as the hapless Maroons.

‘Traralgon went down with barely a whimper,’ reported the Sentinel Times.

Leongatha got off to a dream start led by Captain Darren well supported by Al Fixter who was best on ground and the Stan Aitken medallist.

Back in the team, after missing the preliminary final, Cameron Brown was marking everything across the ground but failing to capitalise as Leongatha’s defence, led by Gary Webster, limited the Maroons scoring opportunities.

Handy goals by coach Brian Royal and Caine Salmon kept the Parrots in the lead, which was further extended when Peter Dixon took a strong mark in the goal square.

At the main break Leongatha led by 32 points.

Despite an attempted comeback by the Maroons early in the second half, League Best and Fairest Darren Read, Peter Dixon and Allen Riseley coming off the bench left the final result in no doubt.

Big forward Craig Reid ended up bagging five goals for the match.

The game was described as an easy win for Leongatha with a number of Maroons sent off the ground late in the second half, much to the delight of Leongatha spectators.

The weekend reunion also saw the return of the U17 75’s premiership team.