[Published Friday March 31 2023]

‘BITE down’.

No, it’s not what you think it is.

On the football field at least, that was the mantra of the Sale Football-Netball Club senior group last season.

It got the Magpies’ seniors and reserves all the way to a Grand Final.

“‘Bite down’ is a term we use here, after my favourite UFC fighter Tai Tui”, returning coach Jack Johnstone told the Gippsland Times during Grand Final week last year.

“If you hear the boys screaming ‘bite down’ it just means bite down on the mouthguard and compete ferociously.”

You could hear Sale players saying those exact words in the quarter time huddle of the decider.

The Magpies put in two memorable performances during last year’s finals series on their way to making the Grand Final against Leongatha.

Had it not been for a torrential downpour at three quarter time, Sale may well have finished full of running and stormed home.

They were only 12 points down at the last change, before rain literally came pelting down right on the three quarter time siren.

Goals were always going to be hard to come by from that point on, and Leongatha was able to essentially kill the game once time became the Magpies greatest enemy.

Sale won plenty of admirers last season in making it as far as they did, and considering they were opposed to a Leongatha outfit that currently boasts the longest winning streak out of any country football side in the state, their efforts were especially noteworthy.

In the greatest respect to the Maffra sides of the early 2000’s or Traralgon back from the VFL in the late 1990’s, we may well be seeing the best Gippsland League side of all time currently in the form of the Parrots.

Saying that through the lens of being a modernist, it is probably accurate to say the sport of today is the strongest it is ever going to be played, when you take into account the advancements in technology, coaching, equipment and sport science.

While that might be of little consolation to Sale, the Magpies look in a healthy position to push toward another top-three finish.

For any club coming off a Grand Final defeat, it is very easy to say ‘ let’s go one better’, however that can often make the focus too narrow.

The challenge for the Magpies will be to stay in the moment of the week-to-week grind of the season, ensuring they chalk up enough wins to secure the double chance.

Historically speaking, you need the double chance to make the Grand Final – as Sale made use of last year.

The Magpies lost to Wonthaggi in the qualifying final, then ramped up the pressure on them a fortnight later to defeat them in the prelim.

At times last year, Sale was too big and too strong for their opponents, and made their presence felt.

Both Leslies (Will and Jack) presented physically intimidating prospects for any key position opponents, while around the ball, the Magpies had no shortage of class from the likes of Shannen Lange, Jayden Allison and Johnstone.

That trio of midfielders also won high numbers of contested ball, which allowed players such as Kane Martin, Mitch Bown and Pat Tainsh to basically have a licence to stream forward.

When you win contested ball you can do whatever you like off the back.

In keeping with the theme of recent seasons to get ‘ Sale people’ back to the club, the Magpies have been successful in doing so again.

Bohdi Walker returns after a few seasons down the road at Sale City, while Adam Wallace and Lachlan Ronchi are also back, as is Hudson Holmes.

Holmes should complement the line-up nicely across half-back when not on duty with Port Melbourne in the VFL, and could be a like-for-like (albeit much younger) replacement for Ryan Pendlebury.

There is no VFL tomorrow, so Holmes could take his place in the Sale side.

Most other clubs across the Gippsland League with VFL-aligned players should also benefit from this scheduling, and there could be some good names getting around tomorrow.

Sale

Coach: Jack Johnstone

Last season: Runner-up (14 wins, 8 losses)

In: Adam Wallace (Heyfield), Brad McKay (Rosedale), Hudson Holmes (Maffra), Lachlan Ronchi (returning), Bohdi Walker (Sale City), Bailey Nicholas (Moonta), Cody Henness (Mt Eliza)

Out: Mitch Thacker (overseas), Lachlan Todd (RAAF posted), Ryan Pendlebury (Euroa), Luke Di Ciero (Bentleigh)

VFL: Cody Henness, Hudson Holmes

Durks’ verdict: Seriously good side backed up by seriously good framework around the club. Anything less than a preliminary final would be a surprise.