FOR three quarters, there was nothing to choose between Leongatha and Sale in the 17 and Under Preliminary Final at Sale, goal for goal with first Leongatha and then Sale eking out a one-goal or two-goal lead.
But when it mattered most at the start of the last quarter, Sale got it out to four with two turnovers and they went on with it from there to ultimately secure a place in grand final by eight.
Match report: In the Under 17s Leongatha had a solid opening quarter to lead Sale 9-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Great defence by Leongatha’s GK Mollie Heber and GD Jayde Hall forced a turnover early in the second quarter as Leongatha held on to a slender two-goal lead.
Through the middle Leongatha was using Lara Gill in centre with Makenna Anderson and Lucy Patterson also active.
Meanwhile shooters Audrey McGannon in GA and Ava Brown were teaming together well making good position on their opponents and hitting their shots.at half time Sale had edged ahead 18-17 in a thriller swinging on only a few turnovers in a high-class game.
The third quarter stay tight with Audrey McGannon grabbing a contested ball to get the go-ahead goal and followed up with another. The Parrots had it going both ends momentarily as Molly Heber forced a turnover but at the other end Sale’s Caity Reid did likewise at her defensive end with Sale going coast to coast for the go-ahead for them.
Big Mal Mackie’s booming voice came over the cheers as Ava Brown put the Parrots back in front. It was goal for goal with Jayde Hall and Molly Heber pressing hard for a turnover. What a game. sari Hickey in Wing Defence got her hand in and the result was a goal up the other end Leongatha up by 25-24 in the shadows of three quarter time.
The Parrots might have got a late goal but they still held a one-goal lead going into the last quarter.
The Parrots were full of life as they hit the court again. But it was Sale who grabbed the first three goals to go out to a two-goal lead then out to four as they forced another turnover.
Lola Wilson made a spectacular play to get the ball going Sale’s way as the tempo lifted but Leongatha defenders Molly Heber and Amber Walker were standing firm at their end. Sale pressed and again stretched the lead to six as time ticked down.
The tall figure of Caity Reid stood in the Parrots way again and Sale was meeting the Parrots’ renewed challenge.
Audrey McGannon grabbed an intercept and Lara Gill continued to work head through the centre but Sale was holding an eight goal break and that was the final margin; Sale 37 defeating Leongatha 29
Sent from my iPhone
