Gippsland Times | SALE scored a fighting 33-point win over Gippsland League football premier Morwell.
The slippery conditions at Sale Oval on Saturday made it hard work but the Magpies prevailed 9.11 (65) to 4.8 (32).
In a low-scoring struggle, the Magpies kept doing enough to stay clear of the Tigers, who also worked hard in the slippery going.
The match was a contrast to the Magpies' high standard round one clash played in ideal conditions at Maffra, but coach Travis Ronaldson and his players were happy to pick up the four points.
The home side kicked 3.3 to 2.2 during an even first term before setting-up its winning break with attacking football to get through the Tiger flood in the second quarter, booting 3.3 to two points.
In a low-scoring second half, the Magpies kicked 3.5 to 2.4 to post their first win of the season.
The Tigers, who have lost 10 players, are only a shadow of the team that won back-to-back premierships with match winners on most lines.
The Magpies will be competitive and the victory over Morwell will add to their confidence. However, they will have a tough match coming up against grand finalist Wonthaggi this Sunday.
Sale was on top in the ruck with Jack Lipman and Mackenzie Bristow setting things up for the midfielders.
Tye Morrison, who was tough and desperate, fed the ball out of the crushes.
Justin McLay has continued on from where he left off last season, with his long effective kicks in the conditions setting-up scoring moves.
Josh Kennedy had plenty of the ball. His dash and disposal in the slippery conditions provided opportunities for teammates.
During the second term, Kennedy swooped on the ball to set-up one of Josh Woods' two goals. Moments later, Kennedy quickly gathered the ball before kicking a major of his own.
John Gooch was solid up forward, kicking two goals after making good position. Rhys Carter also used his ball handling skills with good effect and also kicked two goals.
Ben Dessent was good up forward and in defence. Nick Mason led a solid defence with support from players like Chris Laverty, Andrew Quirk, Jordan Dessent and Joel Wallace to keep the Tigers to only four goals for the match.
It was good to see Gippsland Power boys Will Leslie, Brad Olsson and Ben Dessent getting involved in the Magpies' win. In one of the plays of the day, in the final quarter Dessent took off around the grandstand wing, bouncing the ball before his long left foot kick found the safe hands of Lipman for a goal.
