Gippsland: Leongatha’s Jack Ginnane returns from long suspension with 11 goals

Leongatha’s premiership defence has started brilliantly. See how the Parrots could be even stronger with a familiar face back.

Leongatha’s Jack Ginnane has made a stunning return from a “year to forget” that cost him a spot in the club’s premiership winning team in the Gippsland league last season.

Ginnane booted 11.3 goals in a 97-point trouncing of Warragul on Saturday in his first match since serving an eight-match suspension for striking a Wonthaggi opponent.

The league’s tribunal handed down the original suspension in mid-July, with Ginnane unable to have the ban reduced on appeal to AFL Victoria, or in a last-ditch Supreme Court appearance before the finals.

“It was a year to forget for me to be honest,” Ginnane said.

“I didn’t mean it and if you had your time again, I wouldn’t take the body like I did.

“But it’s the way I’ve always played.

“Unfortunately I got him a bit high and you just had to take your medicine.”

Leongatha's Jack Ginnane marks on the lead against Warragul on his way to 11 goals in the Gippsland league match. Picture: Mark Drury

Ginnane’s career-best haul equalled the record for the most of goals kicked by a Leongatha player against Warragul.

Adrian Campbell and Nick Nagel also kicked 11 against the Gulls in 1999 and 2011 respectively.

“The service was unbelievable, I didn’t have to do too much,” Ginnane said.

“It’s the most I’ve kicked in a game by a long way.”

The Parrots have started their flag defence with three successive wins and meets Sale in the grand final replay on Saturday.

Leongatha's Jack Ginnane, right, celebrates one of his 11 goals with teammate Travis Nash. Picture: Mark Drury

Sale was staring at a 0-3 start to the season when it trailed arch rival Maffra by 21 points at halftime on Saturday, before dominating the third quarter to eventually run out winners by 14 points.

“Our first quarter wasn’t up to standard and their pressure was really good,” Sale coach Jack Johnstone said.

“But we knew we could wrestle it back if we kept doing the right things.

“Thankfully we were able to put some score on the board because we haven’t been able to do that in the first two games.”

Sale coach Jack Johnstone (right). Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Sale lost one of its major off-season signings, Cody Henness, to a broken leg in the first round loss to Wonthaggi and Brad and Jordan Dessent and Pat Tainsh are still at least a month away from playing.

“We’ve been hit with the injury stick early, but hopefully we can get a few of those guys back,” Johnstone said.