Parrots edge Power in thriller at Leongatha

WOW, what a contest. The match of the day in the Gippsland League has really lived up to expectations with Leongatha and Wonthaggi all tied up at 7 goals 5 behinds each at half time.

And the scores were level for much of the last quarter after Aaron Heppell kicked a goal midway through and the teams traded points until the final siren for a three point-win to Leongatha that might best have been a draw.

"That is one of the best games of country footy you are likely to see, not high scoring but hard, tough and fair. Fantastic," said Leongatha fan, Nick Kelly after the game.

The sentiments were the same on the Power's side, disappointed to have lost but proud of their team's effort on the day, and just as delighted with the contest and Wonthaggi's upside this year.

Final score: Leongatha 10.12.72 to Wonthaggi 10.9.69.

Match report to half time.

The match has had everything including ex-Collingwood recruit for the Power Isaac Chugg's first goal, from a tough angle to put the Power in front in the first quarter and a spectacular mid-air swipe by Jack Hume at the other end in the second quarter just when the Parrots needed it.

Wonthaggi has used three players to run in the ruck and it has been paying dividends with Jakeb Thomos at one stage taking the centre bounce, combining with Aiden Lindsay, having a slashing game in the centre, to get the clearance and Toma Huther marking the ball for a goal.

Lindsay is opposed to the league's best player Tom Marriott and you'd have to say giving the Power the edge at the stoppages.

Wonthaggi gained the ascendency in the first quarter and it was catch-up time for Leongatha but they fought their way back by half time in a hard running, hard tackling spectacle before a big, vocal crowd.