Leongatha mounts challenge to Eagles

The great rivalry of recent seasons between Gippsland League heavyweights Maffra and Leongatha continues and the grand finalists of the past two years – they each won one – are setting the scene for a replay this year.

Leongatha avenged its round four loss to the Eagles when it led all the way at Maffra on Saturday to win by nine points – 9-8 to 711.

The win has drawn the Parrots level with Maffra at the top of the table with both having won 11 of their 13 games.

Maffra has a much stronger percentage, something that could be telling in which side grabs the highly prized top spot at the end of the home and away rounds that provides a “rest” on the opening weekend of finals.

Saturday’s was typical of the no quarter given clashes the teams have waged over the past few years.

They key was Leongatha’s better first quarter when it jumped to a 4-2 to 1-4 lead.

It gave the Parrots enough of a buffer to hold off a Maffra side that challenged right to the final siren.

Leongatha maintained leads at half and three-quarter time, by 10 and nine points respectively.

Goals had to be hard-earned, especially in the second half when the normally free-scoring sides emphasised their defensive play to stop their opponents breaking away.

The league’s leading goalkickers, Chris Dunne of Leongatha and Maffra’s Mitch Bennett, were held goalless.

The Parrots Cade Maskell continued his good form to post three important goals to be the leading scorer on the ground.

The other game at the weekend, at Bairnsdale on Sunday, was one Moe 4th on the ladder had to win to maintain some breathing space over possible threats to its finals hopes.

The Lions’ second and third quarters set up their 11-11 to 6-15 win, kicking six goals in those terms while on off target Bairnsdale score 2-8.

Sam Cougle kicked four goals for Moe to give it another important forward prong.

Bairnsdale is now well out of contention for the “five” while Moe looks destined to finish 4th or 5th and an elimination final.