Parrots pluck Gulls

LEONGATHA marked the 100th senior game of spearhead Jack Ginnane and Noah Fixter’s senior debut with a thumping 147-point win over a severely depleted Warragul side.

While it wasn’t a memorable contest, magic moments will long be recalled by the Parrots and their fans, especially Fixter’s strong contested mark that set up his first major in the ones.

Although the debutant didn’t add to his goal tally, he did plenty that won praise from coach Trent McMicking, performing well on a wing and up forward.

“He attacked the footy hard and was really good in the air,” McMicking said.

Fixter’s grandparents Graham and Elaine, stalwart Parrots who have held committee roles, were thrilled to see Noah start his senior career, as was his dad Alister who played over 230 games for Leongatha.

Ginnane’s 100 senior games are in addition to his contribution as a Leongatha junior.

While he finished with only a couple of goals, Ginnane again created opportunities for teammates.

“He led up well and hit the contest hard,” McMicking said.

Onball powerhouse Aaron Heppell was best afield, with the midfielder not only bringing his forwards into the game with his incisive delivery but booting five goals of his own.

Bustling Tallin Brill earns mention regularly and did so again, booting four majors and continuing to provide the perfect blend of physicality and skill.

Zippy Jesse Burns reads the play well and again proved elusive for the opposition, this time slotting three goals, a total matched by Leongatha teammate and Richmond VFL player Cam Olden.
A blistering 11 goal to none second quarter set up a 100-point halftime advantage for the Parrots.

That was extended to a 116-point lead at three quarter time, with a deluge then setting in.

A spectacular rainbow hovering over the ground was a last quarter highlight, with the downpour soon over.

While Leongatha couldn’t match its second quarter output in the slippery final term conditions, it still added an impressive four goals.

Warragul is currently so undermanned, the Gulls were unable to field a Reserves side against Leongatha.

Corbin Sutherland was a bright spot for the beaten team, being its best player and booting all five of the Gulls’ goals.

He played forward then went into the midfield, kicking goals in both roles.

Leongatha now has a bye before a testing couple of weeks against local rival Wonthaggi, then Traralgon.

McMicking noted the bye will be treated differently according to each player’s circumstance, with a few blokes needing a bit of work while others require a rest.