Parrots fly into A Grade preliminary final

Leongatha has kept its Gippsland League A Grade premiership hopes alive with a tight 35 to 30 semi-final victory over Bairnsdale.

The Parrots entered Sunday’s clash at Leongatha Recreation Reserve knowing defeat would end their season.

And they certainly had to work for the win.

Bairnsdale held an 8 to 7 advantage at quarter-time, but Leongatha turned the contest around with a dominant second quarter, scoring 10 goals and restricting the Redlegs to just five.

That gave the Parrots a 17 to 13 half-time lead.

Bairnsdale cut the margin to three during the third quarter, leaving the game at 23 to 20 with one term remaining.

But Leongatha held its nerve, producing its highest-scoring quarter of the match to win the final term 12 to 10 and secure a place in Saturday’s preliminary final against Drouin at Sale Oval.

Head coach Lyndell Bruce said the defensive strength of both sides was what made the low-scoring contest so competitive.

“I think it was a very defensive game, and the strengths of both teams are the defensive ends,” Bruce said.

“But I was really happy with how we were able to grind it out, stay in the game and stick to what we were trying to do.

“We continually gave our attack end opportunities to convert the ball.”

Leongatha Netball Operations Manager Kasie Rump said the result meant a lot to the club after a bit of a rough patch in recent seasons for the A Grade side.

“We’ve had a couple of years of not making finals in our A Grade side,” Rump said.

“To now get a preliminary final means a lot.

“We believed we could, but we’ve peaked at the right time of the year. Anything is possible now.”

Rump said pressure across the court helped Leongatha gain control after quarter-time.

“Our defenders obviously put on that defensive pressure, but our attackers also got their hands to it,” she said.

“If we happened to miss a goal or turn the ball over, they switched straight into defensive mode, and a lot of the time got it back.”

Leongatha’s shooters then delivered when the match tightened in the final quarter.

“They backed each other, backed themselves and took the game on,” Rump said.

“The goalers were sinking them from everywhere. They shot beautifully in that final quarter.”

Goal defence Jayde Hall and centre Taylah Brown were named Leongatha’s best players.

Rump described Hall as “relentless” in defence, praising her ability to limit her opponent’s space and get a hand on the ball consistently.

And Brown was extremely influential at both ends.

“She was one of the main ball carriers, and her fitness and style of play allowed the ball to be carried down safely,” Rump said.

“Defensively, she also helped turn it back over when required.”

Rump said Leongatha had gradually built its connections after assembling a relatively new team, with Brown returning from Melbourne Vixens reserves commitments and Gemma Meadley joining the side after state commitments.

“They’ve really come together in the second half of the season,” she said.

“They’re just building every week.”

Leongatha will now attempt to deny Drouin a grand final berth after the Hawks lost Saturday’s second semi-final to Moe, 72 to 67.

Drouin suffered just a single loss in the home and away season, coming in round 14 against ladder leaders Moe.

The Parrots lost to Drouin in both of their home and away matchups.

“We know we have to play very well to beat them,” Rump said.

“But we’ve got nothing to lose. Finals are finals and anything is possible.”

Bruce echoed that sentiment, showing respect for the Hawks’ talent.

“There’s no doubt they’re a strong side, and we’re under no illusions that it’s going to be a tough game,” she said.

“But I’m confident that our defensive end is one of our strengths, and their attack end is one of their strengths, so it’s going to be a battle at that end of the court that’s for sure.”