THE local footy purists who hope to one day see fierce local rivals, Wonthaggi Power and the Leongatha Parrots, play off in a Gippsland League grand final might need to save the date after both sides had impressive wins, against highly rated opponents in Round 1 on Saturday, April 1.
Wonthaggi started their match, on their home ground, in fine style with 4 goals to 3 but they never got it out to much more than two goals all day in a really competitive contest, typical of these sides in 2022.
The Power certainly had their hands full at the centre breaks and stoppages, with Sale’s much vaunted on-ball unit, led by Shannen Lange rediscovering last year’s form from the outset, but strengthened by the likes of Josh Butcher and co, in a solid performance by them.
For the Power, Toma Huther, played the traditional ‘following’ role in the ruck, immediately converting to a fourth on-baller after the bounce, and with the likes of Ryan Sparkes also back in good form.
One of the Power’s big strengths last year, taking them all the way to the preliminary final, was their defence and there were signs again on Saturday that they’re in for another good year with the likes of Joshua Bates and Fergus O'Connor able to expect plenty of safe, secure support and consistent rebound out of the danger zone.
The Power kicked 4, 3, 2 and 4 goals across the four quarters for a very consistent effort on the day, and while Sale kept coming, the home side was able to cover off on all of their moves.
An impressive start by the Power against one of the sides expected to figure in September action again this year.
Over at Traralgon, the reigning premiers, Leongatha, were even more so.
If they could be accused of a premiership hangover, it came in the first quarter when Traralgon really came out of the blocks playing well. They ran off confidently, seemed to have the bigger bodies around the contest and had lots of options up forward where Harvey Neocleous, a former Gippsland Power and Casey Demons player kicked five.
But it all clicked for the Parrots in the second quarter as they hit the ground full of running with a burst of seven goals to two, really taking the wind out of the Maroons’ sails.
Key recruits, Guy Dickson across half back and Jenson Garnham with 5 goals up forward, could not have been more impressive.
But the further the Parrots went, the better they got with all players contributing strongly to an impressive six goal win against a good opponent.
Aaron Heppell, big Benny Willis in the ruck, Josh Hopkins, Tallin Brill up forward with three goals, Cade Maskell front and back with a great contribution by him, Ned Hanily solid, Will Dawson taking a share of the ruck, Cam Stone down the flanks, Jesse Burns and Jake van der Pligt… the list goes on.
And that’s without mentioning the league’s best player, Tom Marriott, who was unavailable while attending a wedding.
The Parrots simply didn’t have a passenger and the six or eight that were different from the premiership team of 2022 are going to be hard to dislodge.
As a sign of the spirit that exists in the team, everyone was absolutely delighted when defensive stalwart Sean Westaway went on a scything run out of the back half and banged a long shot at goal in the last quarter which sailed through the middle from beyond 60 metres.
Predictably, the players all got around him to share the moment, well aware, that as the consummate team man he wouldn’t normally allow himself such an expansive gesture.
But there’s unlikely to be a spot for him up forward with the Parrots having an embarrassment of riches up there this year, a highly potent, mobile attack that’s likely to be a real handful for most club’s and with Jack Ginnane set to come back into that group after four weeks on the sidelines.
The Leongatha A Grade Netballers also had a good win over Traralgon after a tight first half, brushing away the cobwebs to surge ahead of the opposition in the third quarter and go on to an impressive win of their own.
Final scores
Wonthaggi 13.8.86 def Sale 11.6.72.
Traralgon 12.9.81 lost to Leongatha 18.10.118
