Gippsland: Leongatha downs Sale in Sean Westaway’s record-breaking outing

A four-time premiership player has become Leongatha’s new games record-holder. His milestone had the ideal finale.

Leongatha bounced straight back from a shock loss in the Gippsland league’s previous round with a 25-point win over Sale, which will be without coach Jack Johnstone for a further two matches due to suspension.

The reigning premiers celebrated four-time premiership player Sean Westaway’s new club games record of 236 matches on Saturday with a victory that was made certain with a seven goals to three first half.

Westaway went past the previous record held by 1989 premiership player and 1990 Trood Award and Rodda Medal winner Peter Helms.

Leongatha’s Sean Westaway marks strongly in the 2022 grand final against Sale. He broke the Leongatha games record on Saturday. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Westaway featured in the best players along with Jackson Harry, Tom Marriott and Travis Nash with Leongatha set to welcome back star player Cade Maskell back from injury in coming weeks.

Last week, Sale unsuccessfully appealed to AFL Victoria to have Johnstone’s three-match suspension for rough conduct against Traralgon a fortnight ago overturned.

Traralgon player Josh Hamilton was concussed in the first quarter incident.

Johnstone will be sidelined for Sale’s next two games against Morwell and Bairnsdale which are both vying for a finals berth.

Sale coach Jack Johnstone is presently out suspended. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Morwell upset Leongatha a fortnight ago and beat Warragul by two points on Saturday.

Bairnsdale, which pushed Moe and Warragul in its previous two matches, beat Wonthaggi by 35 points in a result that has almost killed off any chance the Power has of making finals after playing off in last year’s grand final.

Collingwood VFL-listed player and star onballer Ryan Sparkes played his second match for Power this season.

But it had no answer for Bainsdale’s Lachlan Byrne-Jones, Randall Stewart and coach Logan Austin, who was almost impassable at centre half-back.

Xavier Richards’ horror run with injury at Bairnsdale continued when he was out of the match before halftime with a qua complaint.

Bairnsdale plays Leongatha next round before a crunch clash against Sale at home.

BENDIGO

Sandhurst turned the tables on Golden Square in their first match-up since a thrilling grand final encounter last year.

In a stand-alone match for the Ron Best Shield, Sandhurst steadied after a second term challenge from Golden Square to win by 54 points.

Sandhurst led by 22 points at quarter time, but Square rallied in the second quarter with five goals to two to trail by only four points.

Two goals to Kai Daniels and another from captain Jayden Burke raised hopes of an upset win before Sandhurst steadied with nine goals to two in the second half.

Sandhurst captain Lachlan Tardrew. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

Captain Lachlan Tardrew was best afield for Sandhurst with Fergus Greene kept to only three goals by Xavier Carter playing in his first season at senior level.

Sandhurst is on top with a 5-0 win-loss record and Golden Square is still in the hunt to play finals after a turbulent off-season following last year’s premiership win.

It is poised for a percentage boosting win against Maryborough next round.

OVENS AND KING

A blistering opening term from Greta set up a 22-point win against Bright in a battle between the two biggest threats to reigning premiers Bonnie Doon.

The O&K is shaping as a three-horse race again with Bonnie Doon undefeated after seven rounds and Greta and Bright with one loss each.

Greta slammed on seven goals to four against Bright in the first quarter with Frazer Judd and James McClounan finishing with nine goals between them.

Bright recruit Declan Bren kicked 29 goals in the opening five rounds, but has headed overseas.

Mark Wettern and Jack Kelly joined McClounan in Greta’s best players with its next big challenge being the return encounter against Bright in early July.

Bright and Donnie Doon only play once in the home and away rounds on June 22.