Drouin commitment not enough against classy and determined Leongatha

By Andrew Paloczi

A COMMANDING team performance led by midfielders Tom Marriott and Luke Bowman delivered Leongatha a 135-point victory over Drouin, the Parrots celebrating Justin Pellicano’s 200th club game in style.

After the final siren, Pellicano was chaired off the ground by ruckman Ben Willis and Bowman, the milestone man having made a major contribution that included booting four goals.

The massive margin would have been greater still with more accurate kicking from the Parrots who finished with 23 goals and 19 behinds.

While coach Trent McMicking gave his players a gentle ribbing after the match, asking a number of them individually how many behinds they kicked, he acknowledged the hard work the team did to create so many scoring opportunities and the positive game style it displayed.

“The way we’ve moved the ball the last couple of weeks, that’s what we’ve been aiming for, so next week it becomes super important, that ball movement, against Wonthaggi,” he said.

McMicking urged his players to embrace the big occasion against their local archrival, a match in which Dyson Heppell is expected to play during a Port Melbourne bye.

Bowman and Marriott’s hard running and ability to win the footy on the inside and use it effectively impressed the coach, Marriott also having a big impact up forward with his four goals.

Wingers Jack Hume and Ben Harding were others who provided eye-catching performances.

With Leongatha’s midfield giving the side’s forwards abundant supply, Patrick Ireland was another Parrot who was difficult for Drouin to contain, finishing with three majors.

Fellow forward Jenson Garnham booted a couple of goals, as did Ty Hall and Zavier Lamers.

Any nerves Pellicano may have been feeling in his milestone match would have been quickly eased when he booted the game’s opening major, going on to kick a goal in each quarter.

The Parrots won every term comprehensively, allowing Drouin just three goals for the day.

One of those majors for the Hawks came through Tomas Unferdorben who was among the side’s best, Cody Fleming and Kyron Smith his goalscoring teammates.

While Drouin was outclassed, the Hawks continued to display commitment throughout the match, a marvellous chase-down and tackle by Max Williames in the final term that almost prevented a Harding goal from the square an example of that.

Williames’ efforts throughout the game were recognised, being named Drouin’s second-best behind Kaiden Walmsley.

Saturday’s long weekend clash between second-placed Leongatha and third-placed Wonthaggi is a tantalising prospect, those sides and top-of-the-table Moe are separated only by percentage.

It’s sure to be a big turnout at the Parrots’ nest, the winner being hard to predict.