Parrots deliver expected win over Drouin

WHILE Leongatha entered its match with Drouin an unbackable favourite, the Hawks displayed accurate early passing and booted the game’s first goal, but the script followed expectations from then on as Leongatha prevailed by 99 points.

The Parrots booted six goals for the remainder of the first term, with Drouin failing to add to its early score, enabling the men in green and yellow to take a commanding 32-point lead to the first break.
At the huddle, Leongatha coach Trent McMicking praised his players for their midfield clearance work and ability to win the hard ball, also noting the Parrots took eight intercept marks for the quarter, an effort he praised as “huge”.

Those endeavours set the pattern for the day.

Tallin Brill excelled throughout for the triumphant Parrots, booting three goals in each half but also making a strong contribution around the ground.

Tom Marriott flourished as always, his ball winning ability and precise use seeing him named his side’s best, although Brill might easily have received that honour.

Jack Hume was superb with footy in hand and in the pressure he applied to opponents when they had the Sherrin, refusing to give an inch and tackling with ferocity.

Jenson Garnham was again on song, nailing five goals for the high-flying Parrots, with ever-reliable onballer Aaron Heppell another decisive ball winner and user and Cade Maskell again featuring in the best.

Lachie Wright was another Parrot having a big day around the sticks, equalling Garnham’s goal tally and playing a part in the ruck.

Kim Drew was solid all day for the winning side, with Levi Hickey stepping back up to senior level and contributing well whether helping in the ruck or winning the footy.

Ben Willis worked hard in the ruck as did his Drouin opponent Ryan Taylor.

Coach McMicking was unsurprisingly still happy with what he was seeing by three quarter time.

“The work rate has been really good,” he said.

McMicking also mentioned the willingness of his players to sacrifice their own game for teammates.

Leongatha spearhead Jack Ginnane was a perfect example of that team-first mentality having opportunities to finish with more than the couple of majors he kicked, but always willing to pass to a teammate in better position.

Willis was another, still willing to run hard in the last quarter to apply pressure to an opponent despite a solid day of work in the ruck.

Hugo Birks had some positive moments for Drouin, kicking the game’s opening goal and adding another, with Timothy Hancock matching that output and being named the beaten side’s best player, with captain Jarrod Marshall also doing well.
Leongatha gets set to battle it out with fifth-placed Sale in an away clash against last year’s grand final adversary.