A 10 out of 10 performance was the verdict of Leongatha coach Trent McMicking, and it’s doubtful any Parrots fans would argue following a magical display of teamwork capped off by Jenson Garnham’s stunning 11-goal haul.
The Parrots were switched on from the outset, never relenting as they charged to a 132-point win over last season’s runner-up Sale, taking a staggering 29 marks inside their forward 50 metre arc to Sale’s six.
Jack Ginnane followed up his 11-goal bag in round 3 with eight against the Magpies.
Despite two forwards combining for 19 goals, there wasn’t a hint of selfishness from Leongatha, with Garnham, Ginnane and others sensing when to find a teammate in a better position rather than strive for personal glory.
Wil Dawson set the tone early, booting the game’s first major after returning to the Parrots’ lineup.
He impressed with his ability to help out Ben Willis in the ruck and his intensity in winning contested ball, whether laying tackles or smothering.
The fact Jack Hume missed a mention in Leongatha’s best demonstrates the heights the Parrots reached, with the number 11 a commanding force with his marking around half forward and asserting himself in other parts of the ground.
Aaron Heppell excelled, whether he had the Sherrin in hand or was laying crunching tackles, with Luke Bowman another prolific ball winner who contributed significantly to Leongatha’s outstanding display.
Cade Maskell, Tom Marriott and Ginnane were also among the Parrots’ best but there were no passengers for the defending premier.
While McMicking was delighted with his players’ ability to adjust to slippery conditions in the first term, he wasn’t yet entirely satisfied at quarter time.
“Four times you’ve had three fly,” he told his backmen.
But there was little for him to worry about from thereon in, and even at that point Leongatha enjoyed a 26-point lead.
Already on fire in the first term, Garnham didn’t let up when hostilities resumed, steaming out like a train on the lead, snavelling the mark and goaling from near the arc not far in from the boundary.
Such was Leongatha’s first half dominance, the Parrots had 43 marks to 17 by the long break, including 15 to one inside the forward 50 zone.
As impressed as he was with the first three quarters, McMicking wasn’t about to get soft on his players at the final change, urging them to get the job done and not take the foot off the pedal.
They took that message to heart, providing a scintillating 10 goal to two last term.
“I can’t pick a hole in it,” McMicking said in the rooms after a wonderful team effort.
He praised his side’s midfield domination and touched on the importance of combining success and enjoyment.
“Everyone here is working for two purposes, premierships and fun,” McMicking said.
While there is still much hard work ahead to achieve the former, the Parrots are laying solid foundations to achieve their quest.
Tallin Brill (3 goals) and Dawson, with a couple of majors, were Leongatha’s other multiple goal scorers behind the G-Trains with shared initials, Garnham and Ginnane.
Coach Jack Johnstone was Sale’s only multiple goal scorer, kicking a couple of majors, while Shannen Lange and vice captain Jack McLaren gave their all as the Magpies’ best, McLaren the beaten side’s most prolific ball-winner with 26 disposals.
The Parrots’ exemplary show will live long in the memory.
