Parrots ready for finals

LEONGATHA finished the home and away season undefeated after hosting Drouin and winning by 89 points.
The classy Parrots brought it’s “A” game along and, while Drouin was solid early, the Parrots extended its lead at every break.
The seniors and reserves sides, having both finished the season without a loss, now have the week off as they await this weekend’s finals to see which team they’ll be up against in the second semi-final.
The forwards had a day out with Leongatha’s best Cade Maskell bagging five goals and being brilliant around the ball and taking a lot of marks,
Aaron Hillberg and Josh Hopkins, another two former Korumburra Bena players, chipped in with three apiece.
Down back it was a similar tale with Leongatha’s very stingy backline allowing the Hawks just one goal after half time.
Lochie Du Mont was again good at the clearances and around the ground for the Greens. Shem Hawking and Tom Marriott were valuable players again; Hawking working hard to the contest and equally good defending or attacking.
Josh Hopkins, either as a wingman or small forward, was handy too while Zac Vernon got plenty of hard ball out.
Big Ben Willis had a tough contest against Drouin’s ruckman Bob McCallum; Willis wining the centre taps by and large, McCallum doing better around the ground.
In the first term the Parrots got away confidently with goals to Dunne and Hillberg. Drouin had chances but two missed shots including one into the post proved costly.
The highlight this term was Aaron Hillberg’s goals; one booted from 45 metres out on the boundary line and another which saw the ball take the right bounce and roll end on end through for a major.
Leongatha led 5.2.32 to Drouin 1.3.9 at quarter time.
Joel Sinclair, Zac Vernon and Josh Hopkins combined to get one over to Cade Maskel for a goal at the five minute mark.
Great pressure from Leongatha saw Brok Davidson run in for an easy goal.
Bradley Williams goaled for Drouin after a rare mistake with an ill directed kick-in by Leongatha.
Darcy Irwin took a nice grab for the Hawks at centre half forward and goaled and this was Drouin’s most promising patch of footy for the day.
But Leongatha’s Hillberg and Maskell combined for a reply.
Hopkins for the Parrots snared another and the half time score was Leongatha 11.4.70 to Drouin 3.4.22
The Hawks would be stranded on this score for the third quarter while the Parrots added another five to bring its score to 16.7.103 and things were now getting ugly for Drouin.
The last quarter saw Drouin fight the game out but it couldn’t find the avenue to goal as Leongatha added another three.
Saturday’s Qualifying Final is being held at Morwell and will feature Maffra and Traralgon with the winner to face Leongatha, the game at Morwell on Saturday, September 10. Hayden Browne will make his likely return from injury.
The loser will play the Elimination Final winner. This match is being held on Sunday at Traralgon and will feature Warragul and Drouin.

Flying Parrot: Leongatha’s Sean Westaway gets airborne as he tries to gather the ball.

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Posted by Sarah Vella on Aug 30 2016. Filed under Sport. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry