Parrots face final test tomorrow

By Andrew Paloczi

A CONFIDENT Sale side is the final obstacle in Leongatha’s path, as the Parrots strive to complete a perfect season.

The Magpies’ sure ball handling, run, and physicality impressed as they swept aside preliminary final opponent Wonthaggi, with the polished performance a statement of intent that undoubtedly grabbed Leongatha’s attention.

Although unbeaten in 2022, the Parrots have had narrow escapes, most recently in edging out Wonthaggi in a semi final clash to claim a grand final spot, and are unlikely to fall into the trap of overconfidence against Sale.

The Parrots should benefit from fresher legs than their avian foes, having had two weekends off during the finals campaign while the Magpies have played three finals to reach the decider.

However, Sale’s players looked to have plenty of zip left last weekend despite scraping through a tight semi final battle with Traralgon the previous week to win by three points.

While Leongatha comfortably accounted for Sale in round 2, the Magpies presented a stern test in round 11 at the Parrots’ nest.

The game was in the balance at the last change, with Leongatha clinging to a 2-point lead, but the Parrots soared to a higher level in the remainder of the match to claim a 3-goal victory.

At that day’s three quarter time huddle, Leongatha coach Trent McMicking urged his players to “work harder, run harder, hit up to the ball harder and get the job done”.

They responded emphatically, with young Ned Hanily setting the tone, running with the flight of the footy to make a crucial spoil and following up immediately by chasing hard and laying a fierce tackle that set up a Leongatha goal.

After the match, McMicking praised his side’s run, burst and ferocious forward footy.

Despite the pleasing finish to the round 11 encounter from a Leongatha point of view, Sale demonstrated its threat in an impressive second term in which it piled on four goals to one.

The Parrots coach noted after the game that term would be reviewed, with the outcome of that review no doubt still fresh in Leongatha minds.

In the grand final, Leongatha’s Ben Willis and Justin Pellicano will take it in turns as they strive for ruck ascendancy against a formidable Sale bigman Jack Leslie.

It will be an intriguing battle, helping determine which side’s midfielders get first use of the footy.

Pellicano offers tremendous versatility, presenting a dangerous forward target and has booted 21 goals from his 15 games this season, with Leslie equally able to be a menacing forward presence for Sale.

Should Leongatha get on top in the midfield it is likely to have too much firepower for the Magpies to contain, with the powerfully built Aaron Hillberg having twice kicked three goals against Sale this year.

Hillberg has 41 majors to his name for the season from his 16 matches.

Leongatha has displayed its ability to share the goalkicking workload.

Jack Hume is always threatening around the big sticks and has notched 30 goals from his 18 games, with six of those majors registered against Sale.

Ball winner Aaron Heppell is capable of having a significant scoreboard impact as well as creating opportunities for teammates, having booted a couple of majors in both of the Parrots’ 2022 battles with Sale and accumulating 26 goals thus far for the campaign.

Newly crowned league Best & Fairest and Parrots skipper Tom Marriott generates chances for teammates with his tough ball-winning ability and polished use of the Sherrin, and has averaged a goal a game during this year’s unbeaten campaign.

Hanily’s tenacious approach makes him a threat when Leongatha’s big forwards bring the footy to ground and he has 10 goals for the season, but more importantly possesses a knack for pressuring opponents and making it tough for them to clear defence.

The Parrots’ goalscoring flexibility and the likes of Cameron Stone and Luke Bowman, complementing Heppell and Marriott around the ball gives Leongatha every chance of success, particularly if it can get on top in the ruck.

With Gippsland Power’s season ended, impressive young Leongatha talent Wil Dawson comes into the reckoning for the decider.

He debuted in stunning fashion in round 14, holding his own in the ruck and looking the part up forward, ultimately setting up the winning goal.

When next available in the final home and away round he again fitted in seamlessly, this time as a specialist forward, finishing with three goals against Drouin.

Accomplished Sale backman Will Leslie and his tough and classy playing coach Jack Johnstone are sure to make Leongatha work hard for success.

Should the Magpies get on top around the stoppages and deliver the footy effectively into attack, Brad Dessent shapes as a serious threat.

He has slotted 50 goals from his 18 season games.

That includes four majors in his most recent meeting with the Parrots, with the forward’s strong marking on show in round 11.

Dessent is well supported by a number of goalkicking teammates.

Jarrod Freeman has been a fixture in the senior side this season, booting 26 goals, with coach Johnstone also playing every match and averaging a goal a game.

Midfielder Shannen Lange has slotted 21 majors in his 20 games, with Kane Martin notching 20 goals from his 15 senior matches.

Jack McLaren is another dangerous Magpie midfielder capable of pushing forward and kicking goals.

Still, Leongatha’s miserly and disciplined backline has conceded a maximum of just 74 points this season, that coming in a narrow round 10 win over Traralgon.

“They’ve got a really good system in the way they defend and work for each other,” McMicking said of his backmen.

The Parrots opponents have averaged only 45 points a match against them throughout 2022, suggesting the Magpies will need significant forward support for Dessent to muster a winning score.

Ryan Pendlebury provides a sense of assuredness for Sale, being a solid contributor in defence in the Magpies preliminary final win and is capable of generating purposeful ball movement for his side with his accurate passing, also being an excellent intercept marker.

While Leongatha deservedly starts favourite, a tight and exciting conclusion to the season awaits.

MATCH DAY DETAILS

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GRAND FINAL NETBALL - SCHEDULE OF MATCHES

13&U - 8:30am Traralgon v Sale         

15&U - 9:45am Sale v Traralgon        

17&U -11:00am Sale v Traralgon        

C Grade - 12:15pm Leongatha v Maffra        

B Grade - 1:30pm Leongatha v Traralgon         

A Grade - 3:00pm Morwell v Leongatha        

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GRAND FINAL FOOTBALL - SCHEDULE OF MATCHES

FOURTHS - 8:30am Maffra v Warragul        

THIRDS - 10:30am Warragul v Maffra        

RESERVES - 12:30pm Leongatha v Sale        

SENIORS - 2:30pm Leongatha v Sale

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EVENT INFORMATION

Venue: Ted Summerton Reserve, Moe

ENTRY

Vehicle entry via South Street, Pedestrian gate entry at Vale Street and Barwick Place gate from 9am.

EFTPOS
Contact less payments available at the gate, canteen and bar. Card payments preferred.

RESERVED PARKING
No reserved parking will be available for the event. Parking is on a first in basis. Limited disable parking will be available.

GENERAL PARKING
Gates open at 7:00am. General Venue Parking is at a first come basis. All parking is at the owners risk.

ENTRY CONDITIONS
No DOGS are allowed. Gatekeepers will refuse entry if attempting to bring a dog into the venue. No alcohol is to be bought into the venue. Gatekeepers will be inspecting cars and confiscating alcohol.

GATE ENTRY
Adult $15, Concession $8, Under 16 Free