SALE is poised to end a premiership drought stretching back to 1986 after overpowering arch-rival Maffra in a West Gippsland Latrobe league blockbuster last Sunday.

Article first appeared: 18 August 2007   Herald Sun

Sale lost to Maffra in the grand final last year, but a 40-point win at Sale Oval has put the Magpies one game clear on top of the ladder from Garfield, with Maffra another four points back in third place.

Sale went into the clash without star ruckman Chris Kelf who had a groin injury, but the son of a former Magpies player stepped up in his absence.

Neil Bristow played in the Sale's last premiership team in '86 when the club defeated Morwell and his son James is a regular with Gippsland Power.

With a bye in the TAC Cup last weekend, Bristow played for Sale and figured prominently in the win which was set up by a dominant first quarter.

Maffra, the only team to beat Sale this season, fought back to trail by only four points at halftime before Sale kicked clear.

Sale's forward line was again prominent, with Brenton Martin leading the way with four goals.

Martin has kicked 41 goals this season, but is getting plenty of support from former Adelaide draftee Jacob Schuback (39), Kane Martin (37) and Chris Aurisch (30).

Nick Fowler, Chris Laverty, and Rusty McAdam are all contributing and teenager Daniel McLinden is another talented player.

Sale is coached by Darren Hall, who has led Bairnsdale to premiership success in the East Gippsland league.

Maffra match-winner Adrian Burgiel booted five of his team's 10 goals in the match and has 45 for the season to trail competition leader Mal McKenna, of Garfield, by four.

Nick Hider completed his third successive 50-possession game for Maffra, which played with one man short for nearly half a game as Nick Horsford was sent off twice.

Sale will host the second semi-final.