Gippsland: Leongatha starts finals charge on top of ladder

All the action from the Drouin v Leongatha match on the King’s Birthday long weekend.

Leongatha begins the run home to finals in familiar territory on top of the Gippsland league ladder.

It is perfectly placed for a shot at a first flag hat-trick in the competition being six points clear of second-placed Traralgon following a 65-point win against Drouin last Saturday.

Young forward Jenson Garnham booted eight goals in the latest victory.

Leongatha’s only slip up this season was to fourth-placed Morwell and on Saturday starts the second half of the season against Maffra, which won its first match of the season last round against Warragul.

Bairnsdale boosted its chances of ending a decade-long finals drought by demolishing Sale by 61 points.

Drouin’s Charlie Bethune is tackled by Leongatha’s Jackson Harry. Pictures: Yuri Kouzmin

Inspired by brilliant performances from onballer Lachlan Byrne-Jones and livewire forward Brayden McCarrey, Bairnsdale booted the first five goals of the match before absorbing a second term revival from Sale and then taking control after halftime.

McCarrey had six goals at halftime and finished with eight to be the competition’s leading goalkicker at the halfway mark of the season with 33.

The record of 10 for most goals kicked by a Bairnsdale player against Sale held by David Preston was set in 1994 when the Redlegs just missed finals.

Drouin’s Mitchell Cotter and Leongatha’s Jenson Garnham compete in the air.

Bairnsdale has extra incentive to make finals with the club staging the elimination final this season.

Percentage separates Bairnsdale and Sale in fifth and sixth place respectively with Wonthaggi and Warragul eight points back after only three wins in the first half of the season.

Leongatha coach Trent McMicking, left.

Drouin captain Jarrod Marshall fires off a handball as he is tackled by Leongatha’s Jacob Lamers.

Drouin’s Jeb McLeod is tackled by Leongatha’s Matthew Borschman.

Leongatha’s Jackson Harry soars for a mark.

Drouin’s Tom Johnstone and Leongatha’s Ben Willis compete for the ball.

Drouin pair Jack Fraser and Tim Hancock close in on Leongatha’s Luke Bowman.

Leongatha’s Jackson Harry takes on two Drouin opponents.

Drouin’s Kaiden Walmsley and Tim Hancock outnumber Leongatha’s Guy Dickson.

Drouin’s Mitchell Cotter and Leongatha’s Jenson Garnham fly for the mark.