Parrots slog out win

LEONGATHA managed to defeat Maffra easily in some of the worst conditions you could get for football on Saturday night at Maffra.
The word from Maffra before the game was that some six inches of rain had hit the town between Wednesday and game day; making the oval extremely heavy. It also rained on and off during the games.
After playing three games on it before the seniors, conditions were atrocious and by the end of the match there was barely a blade of grass on the ground.
On this backdrop Leongatha had to forge out a win and they did this with great fight and determination with almost all players worthy of an award.
Before the match footballers and netballers stood together as they paid tribute to the Anzacs, then it was game on!
With a classy forward line which included Jake Best, Chris Verboon, Cade Maskell, Aaron Hillberg and others Leongatha hit the goals early; every goal worth gold in the conditions.
The Parrots controlled the game nearly all night, with plenty of endeavour, coming off the effort from the Wonthaggi game. In many ways the Parrots’ intensity lifted a notch.
Leongatha 2.6 to Maffra’s four behinds at quarter time.
Maffra tried to hit back but just one goal to the Eagles was scored in term two as the Parrot defenders held firm.
Unfortunately Maffra’s Danny Butcher had to leave the ground with what appeared to be a damaged eye socket after a knock in play and he was treated in hospital.
At half time it was Leongatha 2.9 to Maffra’s 1.4.
Leongatha forged ahead in the third term; Jake Best was brilliant around goals and his five goals for the game was just magic.
Contrast this to Maffra’s key forwards in Bedggood and Sheen. Sheen played a great match but kicked just two; Bedggood managed no goals although was a valuable player.
Three Quarter Time and it was all the Parrots; 5.15 to Maffra’s 2.7
Players were very hard to distinguish as mud was from top to bottom and the last quarter saw another dominant term by the Greens who must now have a firm belief they have got what it takes to go all the way.
However they are mindful that Wonthaggi and Maffra remain as real threats and can certainly turn on good footy as well.
Ben Willis was again impressive on Saturday, the Parrot ruckman performing well against more fancied opponents. Shem Hawking on the wing was up and about and Dale Houghton was a class act on the ball. Matt Borschman was great in the wet and tackled well while Nick Nagel was solid down back.
Aaron Heppell was again a standout and the Parrots will be happy they’ve had Heppell for the opening three rounds and would love to have him for the season.
Leongatha host Bairnsdale at Leongatha this Saturday with the Parrots firm favourites although Bairnsdale notched up a win over Warragul on the weekend.
*Leongatha’s coach Beau Vernon continues to attract media coverage in his first year as coach and he appeared on National Nine News on Sunday night where he was interviewed by chief reporter and presenter Jo Hall. The news crew also spoke to Parrot vice-president Terry Ginnane and a number of the players, all great publicity for the club.

Respect: as a mark of respect for all who fought in wars for Australia on this special centenary of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli, Leongatha and Maffra senior footballers and netballers stood side by side to observe a minute’s silence prior to the matches.

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Posted by Sarah Vella on Apr 28 2015. 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