LIAM DURKIN
FOOTBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
By LIAM DURKIN
IT is swooping season after all.
Sale stormed into the Gippsland League Grand Final after defeating Wonthaggi in the Preliminary Final on Saturday.
The Magpies reversed their result from the qualifying final, beating the Power by 24 points.
Taking to Morwell Recreation Reserve, Sale led at every change to make their first decider in 10 years.
Tricky conditions made scoring difficult, and while the game itself was not a great spectacle, Sale took a number of opportunities in front of goal.
The Magpies registered six scoring shots to one in the first quarter, which set up a gap of 15 points by the time the siren sounded for the opening break.
This margin ended up being the story of the day. Sale held on, while Wonthaggi was unable to bridge the gap.
Key forward Brad Dessent clunked two telling marks followed by just as many telling goals for the winners, while the experience of Kane Martin and Chris Laverty, especially after half-time, was seen in earnest.
The Magpies kicked three goals to two in the third, and went into the last change 22-points ahead.
This was almost a mirror image of the three quarter time lead Wonthaggi held in the qualifying final against Sale – 28 points.
With the shoe now on the other foot, the Magpies were not going to let this golden opportunity slip.
A stalemate ensued in the final term. Neither side managed a goal, but this mattered little to Sale, as the sound of the final siren meant they had booked their ticket to the decider.
Jack McLaren was best for the Magpies, followed by Shannen Lange, Ryan Pendlebury, Will Leslie, Jake Hutchins and Jack McLindin.
McLindin may well be pinching himself about the prospect of playing in a senior Grand Final.
Such a reality appeared a long shot when he found himself in the reserves from rounds 15 to 17, and for the opening game of the seconds finals series.
As well as McLindin, some other feel-good stories are brewing among the Magpies.
Ruckman Daine McGuiness has gone from playing in a struggling reserves team four years ago to playing virtually every senior game this season
McGuiness used the cancelled 2020 season to get himself supremely fit, at one stage cycling 60 kilometres a day, and has filled the void left by league best and fairest Jack Lipman.
Pendlebury looks set to go into the Grand Final alongside Martin and Laverty as the sole survivors from Sale’s last premiership in 2012.
While he wasn’t listed in the top six, Sale playing-coach Jack Johnstone led by example, and was best on ground in the eyes of some present at Morwell on Saturday.
The Magpie defence led by Leslie did an outstanding job, particularly in keeping Troy Harley goal-less.
Harley was Sale’s nemesis in the qualifying final, booting seven goals.
Best for Wonthaggi were Josh Bates, Toma Huther, Jarryd Blair, Aiden Lindsay, Shannan Bray and Ryan Sparkes.
READ the next line in Sandi Roberts’ voice from the 99′ Prelim.
Sale, Sale is into the Grand Final.
It will be a double-dose for the Magpies on Grand Final day, as the Magpies’ reserves are also through.
Sale did what many thought was impossible – defeating Maffra in the preliminary final.
The Magpies kicked two goals and kept the Eagles scoreless in the final term, to win 5.7 (37) to 3.8 (26).
The win continued an incredible journey for Sale in the reserves. The Magpies finished the home-and-away season fourth on the ladder, and have now won three cutthroat finals to reach the decider.
While success in football is largely measured by premierships, the effort by Sale in reaching the reserves Grand Final is remarkable when you consider where they have come from: The Magpies have been wooden spooners in four of the past five seasons in the reserves.
For that alone, Sale has already won.
SALE now faces the might of Leongatha.
The Parrots have the longest winning streak in the state in the seniors, and their reserves finished on top of the ladder with a percentage close to 550.
However, for the first time since 1996, Sale heads into a Grand Final via the prelim, and thus, as the underdog.
With that comes the beautiful uncertainties of football.
No one thought Sale would lose in 2013 – they did.
No one thought Maffra would lose in 2005 – and they did.
No one thought the Titanic would sink…
The Magpies have a busy week ahead, as they prepare both grades to play in the Grand Final.
And if you must know, yes, I am dying of jealousy.
