THE undefeated Leongatha Parrots have made one change to the side that survived a late Wonthaggi onslaught to win by four points in the Second Semi-Final two weeks ago.
Sale has listed an unchanged line-up from the team that defeated Wonthaggi in last Saturday's preliminary final.
As expected, for their assault on the 2022 premiership this Saturday against Sale at Moe, Leongatha have brought back forward flanker and emerging midfielder, Ned Hanily, who has been out suspended for two games.
Hanily has established himself as a first-choice player in the Senior side since gaining selection in Round 5, stringing together the next 13 games straight, figuring in the best players’ list on five occasions.
And the unlucky player to miss out is former Gippsland ‘team of the year’ forward Nick Nagel, who kicked a goal and played his role in Leongatha’s most recent win against Wonthaggi.
Nagel has played five games in the Seniors this year and four in the Reserves after returning to the club from four years away and playing in the losing 2019 grand final, against Maffra, when Leongatha got to within eight points of their old foe.
Nagel did not play in either of Leongatha’s back-to-back premierships of 2017 and 2018 and can be considered unlucky to miss out this time, robbed of his chance, like so many others in sport, of a shot at the ultimate prize during 2020 and 2021 because of COVID.
Nagel will join the rampaging Leongatha Reserves who will also face Sale in the curtain-raiser at Moe after Sale defeated their near neighbours Maffra in the preliminary final.
Leongatha has a strong hand in the Reserves and there again, unfortunately seven or eight good players will miss out on a berth on the day.
Leongatha goes into the Seniors and Reserves grand final as favourites, also with the club’s A Grade, B Grade and C Grade netball teams making it through and there was a huge crowd on hand twho listened to the teams being named on Thursday night, to enjoy a sumptuous counter tea and to hear from the coach Trent McMicking and other club officials.