More polish desired but Parrots still win well over Warragul

LEONGATHA remains unbeaten this season, defeating Warragul by 61 points on Saturday, the Parrots continuing to get most things right but having plenty of scope for improved finishing.

Coach Trent McMicking stressed during and after the game that there is work to do, while acknowledging the impressive pressure his side applied to the Gulls.

Cade Maskell was a standout for the Parrots, his assured presence often turning defence into attack.

He complemented his efficient and constructive disposal with vice-like marking, including in contested situations.

Aaron Turton, Jake van der Pligt and Nick Argento were others who set up opportunities for fellow Parrots with their ability to win the footy and show composure and positivity, while skipper Tom Marriott was again among the best.

McMicking was delighted with his side’s team defence that restricted Warragul to just four goals for the day, saying that was particularly meritorious against a good attacking side showing lots of promise.

While not on Leongatha’s best players list, Matt Borschman was praised by his coach at the breaks and post game for his tagging efforts on Warragul’s dangerous midfielder and forward Tom Hobbs.

“He did a great job on him for four quarters,” McMicking said.

Mitch Bentvelzen’s work down back also impressed the Parrots coach.

Ben Willis was his typical competitive self in the ruck, also delivering a couple of highlights with a strong contested mark and a moment of fleet footedness that thrilled the home crowd.

Leongatha shared goal kicking responsibilities, with 10 Parrots managing at least one major, headlined by Jenson Garnham with three goals, with a couple each to Tallin Brill and Argento.

While Josh Schelling kicked just one goal, it was a memorable moment as he delivered an accurate long-range snap deep in the third term, quickly getting boot to ball after receiving a Garnham handball.

Earlier in the third quarter, Warragul threatened to make the Parrots battle hard for victory, despite Leongatha kicking the opening goal of the term through Garnham.

Warragul booted a couple of majors in quick succession after withstanding Leongatha forward forays through intercept marks in the Gulls’ defensive arc.

The first of that pair of Warragul goals came when Marriott believed he had a taken a mark, the umpire presumably deeming the ball hadn’t travelled far enough then paying holding the ball to Warragul’s Chris Raso.

Marriott’s subsequent comment was interpreted as umpire abuse, although he said it was directed at himself, with Raso marched to the goal line.

When Luke Garner kicked truly on the run moments later, cutting the margin to under two goals, Gulls fans were up and about, someone even cranking up loud music, but the Parrots took complete control from there to charge to a 29-point three quarter time advantage.

“You ticked all the boxes except for one thing,” McMicking told his troops at the huddle, then highlighting Warragul’s five intercept marks in the opening five minutes of the quarter.

Raising his voice, the coach delivered a message to those responsible for feeding the footy to Leongatha’s forwards.

“I have the footy, it’s on me to hit the bloke inside 50; I’ve got no pressure on me,” was the mentality he said players need to have, finishing with “Hit it and hit it properly and the whole thing will go your way.”

His players responded with five last quarter goals, while keeping the Gulls scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Fingers are crossed for the speedy recovery of Parrot Ned Hanily who was put out of the game by a head knock when laying a first quarter tackle in what appeared an innocuous incident.

Leongatha next ventures to Morwell to do battle with the sixth-placed Tigers who are coming off a narrow win over Maffra.