Leongatha gets best of Sale again

LEONGATHA continued its dominance over Sale, the Parrots triumphing by 84 points to make it 11 straight wins against that opponent, this time overcoming a competitive start from the Magpies.

Sale took it right up to the Parrots in the opening term, Leongatha leading by just seven points at the first break, the Magpies playing with patience and often finding unattended marking targets during that period.

At quarter time, Leongatha coach Trent McMicking commented on the term going just 26 minutes, attributing that to a lack of contests and stoppages and the kick, mark nature of the game, urging his players to work harder.

They responded, Sale finding it increasingly difficult to find easy marking targets as the game progressed.

The Magpies still found avenues to goal, managing three majors in both the second and third terms but Leongatha increasingly kicked into gear, booting 11 goals in that period.

While the Parrots had the game well in control by the final break, holding a six-goal advantage, McMicking stressed the need to improve the delivery to the side’s potent forward line.

“Stop kicking 50 metres, 45 metres,” he said, telling the players to instead hit up 
forward targets with well-directed passes.

Again, his message was well received, with some neat passing to the Parrot forwards featuring in a dominant Leongatha finish that yielded eight goals to none in the last term.

Tallin Brill had the ball on a string in that period, booting four goals for the quarter to finish with five for the game, that combined with his ball-winning tenacity around the ground seeing him named the Parrots’ best, ahead of recruit Benjamin Harding.

Kim Drew performed strongly in his 50th Senior game, while Ty Hall excelled with four goals and contributed plenty around the ground, three of his majors coming early in the game when Sale was right in the contest.

Jenson Garnham also booted four goals for the winning side.

While Patrick Ireland finished with three majors, it might easily have been more with some better finishing.

He continues to look an excellent acquisition, his strong leads and commanding marking ability demanding close attention from opposition 
defenders.

Thomas Wrigglesworth and Will Leslie were named best for beaten Sale.

Ruckman Jack Leslie had many solid contests with Leongatha’s Jacob Warne as the two tussled for hit-outs, the big Magpie finishing with a couple of goals, Wrigglesworth and Jarrod Freeman matching that output.

Skipper Jack McLaren and Kane Cutler were others working hard for the outclassed Magpies, Derek Eggmolesse-Smith looking dangerous at times when Sale players at the coalface got the ball out to him in space.

Leongatha skipper Tom Marriott and Sale’s Jake Hutchins each wore the number zero, attracting attention to Saturday’s Mental Health Round.

The win puts Leongatha second on the ladder, behind Morwell on percentage, McMicking delighted with the Parrots’ work in the last term on a 29 degree day that was better suited to cricket.

“It was a really good, resounding win,” he said after noting it was an ugly game at times.

While we’re only a couple of rounds into the season, it all comes to a screeching halt for Easter, the Parrots’ next challenge an away contest against Bairnsdale on Saturday, April 26.