Leongatha make light work against Sale to extend winning streak to 32 wins

Leongatha broke a 44-year record against Sale to continue their unbeaten run in the Gippsland league in the battle between last year’s grand finalists.

Leongatha’s dynamic forward duo Jenson Garnham and Jack Ginnane combined to kick 19 goals between them in a demolition job on Sale in the Gippsland league grand final rematch on Saturday.

Garnham finished with 11 goals against Sale and Ginnane followed up his 11 goals from last round with another eight.

Leongatha also recorded its biggest score against Sale with its 27.13 (175) bettering the previous highest of 24.24 (168) in 1979.

Another record to tumble was the winning margin of 132 points which eclipsed the previous highest of 121 points in 2016.

Leongatha coach Trent McMicking was left in awe of the Parrots’ commanding display.

“We used the ball much better than we have all year,” he said.

“The (two forwards) had it on a platter with a pretty serviceable midfield today.

“We’ve been winning and we won well last week, but there were still some areas for improvement.”

The Parrots’ latest victory was their 32nd in a row with the winning streak beginning in the 2021 season prematurely ended by Covid.

Garnham, who kicked five goals on debut in round one, booted six in the first half and brought up double figures midway through the final quarter.

He was recruited from Inverloch-Kongwak and played most of last year with Gippsland Power.

Leongatha had a narrow escape against Wonthaggi in round 2 when it came from behind to win by three points.

Sale is in early-season trouble with only one win from its first four matches.

The Magpies have struggled to kick a winning score in the absence of a settled forward line with playing coach Jack Johnstone used up forward and kicking two goals in the first half.

Moe remains undefeated on top of the ladder with a 50-point win against Bairnsdale.

Leongatha and Moe are scheduled to meet in round 7.