After a competitive first half, Bairnsdale was blown away by the Gippsland League’s best side, Leongatha, in round eight action at Leongatha.
The win leaves the Redlegs precariously placed in sixth place on the ladder with four wins and four
losses near the midpoint of the season.
Bairnsdale sit four points ajar of three sides locked on five wins, led by Moe, who are ahead of Sale and Morwell on percentage.
The Redlegs led by three points at quarter time after Brayden McCarrey and Matt Corbett both goaled within the opening two minutes of the match and certainly didn’t take a backward step when the tempo increased in a torrid second term.
But the Parrots were getting on top at the stoppages and continually bombarding the ball back inside 50, the home side going in with a two-point half time advantage with 11 scoring shots to four stat telling a tale.
The Parrots went to another level in third term, showing why they are regarded as one of country Victoria’s premier football clubs, kicking six goals to two, as the inside 50s continued to mount, Jackson Harry (four goals) benefitting on several occasions from the good work of his engine room led by the mercurial Tom Marriot (34 disposals).
Bairnsdale had plenty of the ball but struggled to work it forward, the Parrots entering 50 a staggering 32 times more for the contest.
The punishment came again in the final term, the Parrots booting five goals to one to win impressively by 50 points.
Best players for the Redlegs were Logan Austin (39 disposals), Will Mitchell (30), Tyran Rees (29), Randall Stewart (29), Kieran Vickery and Cooper Harvey, while McCarrey kicked three goals to maintain his place at the top of the league goalkicking.
The unbeaten Leongatha ran out four-point winners over Bairnsdale in the reserves with Paul Bills, Tom Selleck, Joshua Lando, Charlie Mann, Damon O’Connor and Oscar Clarke all having good games.
Despite the loss the Redlegs are still well placed in third position.
The Parrots where again too good in thirds, accounting for the Redlegs by 84 points.
Xavier Cook, Max Neate, Matthew Hamilton, Michael Dunstan, Samuel O’Kelly and Archie Treasure among the best for Bairnsdale.
Bairnsdale led all day in a low-scoring thirds encounter, consolidating fifth place on the table with their 13-point victory.
Jobe Froud (three), Xavier Morrison, Oscar Baylis, Tayte Cooper, Hudson Froud and Oliver Simpson all standouts for the Redlegs.
NETBALL
It was a brilliant result at the netball courts with the Redlegs scoring their fourth “A” grade win of the season and now out of the top five only on percentage.
Wet conditions made for a slow game, all players cautious of the the conditions.
Bairnsdale did their best to keep up with the Parrots who held a narrow lead at half time.
The third quarter was back and forth but it was Leongatha who went into the last quarter with a decisive five-goal lead.
The last quarter was one of Bairnsdale’s best for the season as they worked extra hard to bridge the gap.
All over the court they applied pressure and eventually rewarded themselves, coming away with a great two-goal victory.
Tayla Falconer and Brielle Malady were both outstanding for the Redlegs.
Leongatha dominated “B” grade winning by 44 goals, with Olivia Rees and Kayla Neilson among the better players for Bairnsdale.
Bairnsdale was slow to adapt to the conditions in “C” grade making too many unforced errors, eventually going down by 17 goals with Jas Kazakas and Ash Dixon-Tong playing well for the Redlegs.
The Parrots were victorious in the under 17s by 24 goals, with Phoebe Holland and Heidi Allen trying hard for Bairnsdale.
The Redlegs still sit third on the ladder despite the loss to the second ranked Leongatha.
Unbeaten in 2024, the Redlegs under 15s went on their winning way with an easy 20-goal win over the Parrots.
Lilly Fullgrabe and Elise Sabell are in sensational form, leading from the front.
The under 13s had a tough day with the wet conditions and tall opposition having an impact, going down by 17 goals to the ladder leader.
Georgia Irish was great in defence, gaining many intercepts and Roxie Jackson was accurate in the goal ring.
