LEONGATHA and Wonthaggi face off in Round Two of the Gippsland League in what is effectively a “top of the table clash” between two teams already assured of September action.
There’s a familiar look to the two senior teams, both in terms of what they put out last year and also from Round One before Easter when they both won worthy clashes against two teams that also look set to finish in the top four – Traralgon and Sale.
Traralgon, with big wraps on their off-season recruiting really came hard at Leongatha in the first quarter, putting on 32 points to 14 in a "watch out” moment from them.
But the Parrots really shook off their premiership hangover, in a very good sign for fans, and surged past Traralgon to lead by 15 points at half-time, an impressive 33-point turnaround.
They controlled the game through to the finish from there.
Wonthaggi had a different experience against last year’s grand finalists, Sale, not surprising after some close and exciting tussles against them in 2022.
There was never more than a couple of goals in it all day at Wonthaggi, in the match before Easter, and it was a character-filled performance by Wonthaggi to come through at the end by 14 points, with plenty of good signs from the likes of new recruit Isaac Chugg, a real running machine down the wings and flanks, Toma Huther playing the classic following game to be that fourth man at the stoppages and all the usual Power contributors starting strongly.
Both teams have made a couple of changes from the sides that started the season.
Tom Marriott is back in the centre for the Parrots who have also named Levi Hickey as a replacement for Will Dawson who has Power duties, and also welcomed back premiership onballer Luke Bowman; with Jacob Lamers and Jesse Burns being the other outs.
Wonthaggi have brought in talented youngster Brodie Mabilia and welcomed back Josh Schulz for Noah and Flynn Anderson.
The son of a Wonthaggi gun, Brodie has overcome a knee injury and is set to make a welcome if belated debut for the Power.
The teams look cherry-ripe for a thrilling contest at Parrot Park with the only condition being when the weather will arrive, at the tail of Tropical Cyclone Ilsa.
The Bureau is saying a “very high chance of showers, most likely in the late afternoon and evening” which hopefully means the game will be played in ideal conditions, occasionally cloudy with a top of 21 degrees. Should be perfect.
With no Mid-Gippsland games until Saturday, April 22, there could easily be a big crowd at Leongatha with MDU, Stony Creek, Tarwin, Fish Creek and other club fans coming in to take a look at one of the feature clashes of the year. Hope there are plenty of pies!!
For Parrots’ coach Trent McMicking, it’s always a match that the club looks forward to, against near neighbours Wonthaggi.
“Yes definitely,” said Trent when asked if there was an extra skip in the step of players at training this week.
“I think both clubs really look forward to these games, it’s as physical and combative as you’d want, we’re keen rivals but also there’s a lot of friends and family crossover there as well, although there’s no friends or family during the game.
“I’d expect all four of these clubs; Sale, Traralgon, Wonthaggi and us, to be in the top four, so it’s an important game and an important indicator of where we are both at,” McMicking said.
“Great rivalry, two teams at or close to their best strength and plenty to play for; it’s why we come to the footy,” he said.
Both the Leongatha and Wonthaggi playing surfaces are in great condition at the moment, with Leongatha covering up the pitch over the Easter to control the amount of moisture getting in.
There’ll be enough give in the centre wicket area for players stops and general play, without being slippery, unless the rain comes.
Wonthaggi is equally looking forward to the contest, with plenty of enthusiasm at training on Thursday night, and the club selecting what must be close to their best 22 featuring Kyle Reid as part of an impressive defence, Chugg on the wing, Toma Huther in the ruck, the Blair brothers around the packs and up forward and plenty of commitment right through.
So, all roads lead to Leongatha on Saturday, April 15 for what will be one of the clashes of the season and an early indicator of favouritism for the premiership in 2023.
Leongatha has selected: Defenders; Mitchell Bentvelzen, Sean Westaway, Jackson Harry, Travis Nash, Guy Dickson and Cade Maskell; centres Cameron Stone, Aaron Heppell and Aaron Turton, forwards Kim Drew, Aaron Hillberg, Josh Hopkins, Jack Hume, Jenson Garnham and Ned Hanily; and onballers Ben Willis, Jake van der Pligt and Tom Marriott with an interchange of Tallin Brill, Sam Forrester, Levi Hickey and Luke Bowman.
Wonthaggi has selected: Defenders Fergus O'Connor, Kyle Reid, Jye Gilmour, Brodie Mabilia, Shannon Bray, Tim Knowles, centres Isaac Chugg, Aiden Lindsay, Joshua Bates, forwards Harry Dawson, Jakeb Thomas, Jack Hutchinson, Jack Blair, Jordan Staley and Cooper McInnes, onballers Toma Huther, Ryan Sparkes and Jarryd Blair, with an interchange of Hunter Tiziani, Joshua Schulz, Tom Davey, and Mitch Hayes.
