Gippsland Times |
Sale overcame a dogged Leongatha in wet conditions to remain undefeated after two rounds of Gippsland League football.
After a week of steady rain, Sale Oval was slushy and heavy for the match.
Not only were the conditions tough for the players, but also difficult for the umpires as players on both sides slithered through the slippery going to gain possession. The umpires then had to make quick decisions is it in the back or holding the ball?
The Parrots, smarting from their round one loss at home to Bairnsdale, came to play and with first use of the breeze at the Macarthur St end, kicked four goals, while the Magpies had trouble scoring goals at the hospital end, booting 1.6.
From there the match developed into a real slog in the heavy going.
The Magpies played their best football in the second term when the players moving into attack hit targets and the forward line was open. The home side kicked six goals for the term.
The Magpies gradually took control to lead by eight points at half-time and went on to win 11.17 (83) to 8.11 (59).
The Magpies made a few changes to the team which defeated Traralgon in round one. David and Justin McLay, Ryan Pendlebury and Jamie Sweeney came in to provide strength and experience in the heavy going.
Experienced Sale defender Shane Fyfe had one of those days where the ball seemed to follow him. He kept rebounding the ball and directing play back through midfield where Tom Hams, Kane Martin and Josh Kennedy continued their good form.
John Gooch used his strength and strong marking to set-up chances for his teammates.
Josh Woods, who played in the under 18 team last year, continues to improve. He is making the best of opportunities around goal, and finished with 1.3.
Jack Lipman was on top at the centre bounces with well-directed palming to set-up chances for the mid-fielders.
Matt Ferguson led well up forward and kicked three goals.
Mitch Davis is also played well at both ends and kicked three goals after strong marks with the slippery ball.
Hams was ordered off after an incident in the second quarter and has been reported.
It is good to see clubs games record holder Kane Fraser getting through matches. He has worked hard to overcome a knee injury which forced him out of last year's finals.
