Parrots survive Tiger scare

LEONGATHA was able to handle a surging Morwell outfit in the third quarter to post a 31 point win.
The Parrots lead at every change but during the third quarter Morwell booted four straight goals to come within one behind of the ladder leaders. Leongatha appeared a bit lackluster, allowing the Tigers to stay in the game.
But Leongatha went away with the game again kicking the last goal of the third term and all three goals in the last quarter.
The Parrots included Aaron Heppell for his first hitout of the season after a week off from playing in the Essendon VFL team. Tom Marriott, Josh Hopkins and Zac Vernon were still unavailable due to small niggles but will all line-up after this week’s bye against Drouin at Drouin on August 5.
Anthony Rosato booted the opening major for the Tigers at the three minute marked soon answered with one to Chris Dunne who was busy.
Goals by Josh Schelling and Ryan Olden midway through the term saw the Parrots lead at the first change 3.2.20 to Morwell 1.2.8.
Chris Dunne slotted his second early in term two and when Louis Riseley booted another for Leongatha it was now 35 points to Morwell’s eight and looking like a one-sided contest.
Robert Michaelides, who was coming into play for the Tigers, kicked a much needed one at the 21 minute mark as Leongatha lead 5.6 36 to Morwell’s 2.2.14 at half time.
Cameron Stone, who was having a great game out of the middle, slotted the Parrots first the third term.
But the Tigers then got a big hurry on and booted four straight; to Jack Callaway, James Jacobsen and two to Michaelides. Suddenly the Tigers had a chance before Aaron Hillberg steadied the ship with a goal just before the final change.
At three quarter time there was just eight points in it as Leongatha lead 7.8.50 to Morwell 6.6.42 in some tricky conditions with strong and gusty winds.
Morwell would not give up the pressure in the last term as both sides failed to score goals until deep into the final quarter.
Finally it was the Parrots which broke the shackles as Hillberg, Dunne and Heppell all score goals to see Leongatha home by 31 points in an entertaining game.
Along with best player for the Parrots Cameron Stone, also playing in the midfield and effective were Luke Bowman and Hayden Browne.
Chris Verboon and Ben Chalmers were solid across half back for Leongatha while Chris Dunne was the most effective of the forwards, booting three.
For Morwell Ryan Hearn at half back on some of Leongatha’s talls was best with Michaelides in the middle getting plenty of possession.

Parrot goal: Leongatha’s Ryan Olden gets away to post an on the run goal for the Greens. Photo courtesy Latrobe Valley Express.

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Posted by Sarah Vella on Jul 25 2017. 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