Hard slog falls Parrots’ way

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Hard slog falls Parrots’ way

IN heavy conditions at Leongatha, the Parrots found a way to win after being challenged all the way by Traralgon.
In a battle of the defences, Leongatha got up by just three points, winning 6.5.41 to Traralgon’s 5.8.38 in a good contest under trying conditions.
Traralgon had chances to win the game and had a lot of balls in the forward line in the last quarter.
When the Maroons kicked an early goal in the last term the signs for the Parrots weren’t great; Leongatha needed three goals to win. They had only booted three goals in the first three quarters so it was a tall order.
With a quick reply to Brock Davidson and then another to Zac Vernon the Leongatha crowd started to find voice.
Another to Vernon to give Leongatha the lead later in the quarter meant it was now Traralgon which had to lift.
They pressured the Leongatha backmen but the likes of Sean Westaway, Aaron Coyle and Joel Sinclair held firm.
At the 26 minute mark Traralgon marked 35 metres out and a goal would have secured a Maroons victory but his shot went wide.
Leongatha went forward very late in the quarter and with an open forward line it was Josh Hopkins who ran onto the ball and he was running into what was a certain goal when the siren sounded.
Earlier in the game it was a battle of the defences.
Aaron Hillberg, who presented well all day, booted the only Leongatha goal for the opening quarter.
Traralgon’s Jackson Hall was having a big influence on the game and patrolled the half backline, dominating his position.
Ben Willis was battling hard in the ruck against Traralgon’s Ben Amberg.
The second term saw only one goal apiece as scores were locked at 2.4.16 at half time.
The Leongatha oval was holding up well considering the rain and already three matches being played on the deck, with still plenty of grass on the ground.
Leongatha switched things around a bit after half time throwing Chris Verboon up forward. Hayden Browne after dominating down back also spent some time in the middle.
The Parrots also had someone watching the dangerous Jackson Hall.
Shem Hawking was outstanding for Leongatha for four quarters and ran the game out fully.
Josh Hopkins too performed well despite copping a heavy hit.
In the third term Traralgon inched ahead with two goals to Leongatha’s one and it was Traralgon now 4.7.31 to Leongatha 3.5.23 at the last change.
Tom Marriott began to lift in the last quarter and he and other Leongatha players started to run and with it goals began to flow; the Parrots running the game out well after having the week’s rest.
But the game could have swung either way and it happened to be Leongatha the strongest in the end with probably another goal to be scored until the siren denied Leongatha of a very late goal.
These two sides have a few changes to make and it won’t be the same sides that run out should these two again meet in finals; with the grand final to be played at Moe.
Leongatha won three out of four football games this week; the Reserves keeping its unbeaten run intact, the Under 16’s winning while the Under 18’s lost by a few goals.
The Parrots head to Wonthaggi for a Sunday game this week and expect an equally challenging game with the Power having strung together a couple of wins.

ZTG28Leongatha footy5

Hemmed in: surrounded by Traralgon players, Leongatha’s Rhett Kelly looks for a way through the heavy traffic.

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Posted by on Jun 28 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

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