Gippsland: Leongatha plays Sale in historic grand final clash

Leongatha coach Trent McMicking is wary of Sale’s top-end talent heading into their first meeting in a Gippsland league grand final.

Leongatha coach Trent McMicking is wary of Sale’s top-end talent heading into their first meeting in a Gippsland league grand final on Saturday at Moe.

Sale reversed a 0-3 record in clashes against Wonthaggi this season in the preliminary final to set up a historic premiership showdown after Wonthaggi lost to Leongatha in the dying stages of the second semi-final seven days earlier.

Leongatha’s Tom Marriott won this year’s Trood Award and Rodda Medal. Picture: Supplied

Leongatha produced the winner of this year’s Trood Award and Rodda Medal in Tom Marriott, but McMicking said Sale had no shortage of stars including Shannen Lange, Jack and Will Leslie, and coach Jack Johnstone.

“Wonthaggi played so well against us the week before,” McMicking said.

“It was brutal and they obviously had a shot to win it with five seconds to go.

“It would have been tough to bounce back from that.

“Sale is a good side and they were really good against us at home.

“Their top end is the best in the comp really and they will be really hard to beat.”

Jack Leslie in action for Sale against Maffra. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Leongatha was undefeated this season, but the gap to the chasing pack was a lot closer with the standard of the league lifting with an influx of former AFL and VFL players.

Leongatha has small forward Ned Handily available after completing a two-match suspension for a dangerous tackle and young key forward Will Dawson is also in the mix after Gippsland Power bowed out of NAB League finals at the weekend.

It is presently on a 27-match winning streak, but Sale has peaked at finals time.

Jack Johnstone crossed from Maffra to coach Sale. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Johnstone played in Maffra’s 2019 premiership before taking on the coaching job of arch rival Sale.

“The boys played four quarters of footy (on Saturday) which is probably something we didn’t do in the three previous times we played (Wonthaggi),” he said.

“We’re fit and healthy at the right time of the year.

“This is the best standard the Gippsland league has been since I’ve been back.

“Every team has got AFL or at least VFL experience.”