By ROY WARD
THE crowd roared, the Lyndale players hugged and punched the air.
The Pumas had won nothing more than a round 8 Southern Football League division 3 match against the previously undefeated Mount Waverley but that win was a rich reward for the transformation the Pumas have made in the space of one off-season.
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Lyndale went winless last season and were little better in 2011, but this year’s Pumas are fit, hard-running and under new coach Rodney Benstead have five wins from their first eight games, including the scalp of the highly rated Mountain Lions.
With the Mountain Lions holding a slight lead at three-quarter time at Barry Powell Reserve, the Pumas ravaged the visitors, kicking eight goals to one in the final term to storm to a 20-point victory which the Pumas richly celebrated.
“It was a really even contribution from all our players that is what made me so proud,” Benstead said.
“I heard one of their players say ‘do you blokes think this is a grand final?’ But I think people have to understand where the Lyndale Football Club has come from and it’s exciting to win like this.”
Damian Wilsnatch was named best player for the Pumas while Matthew Stuart and Trent Day led the charge in the final term with team lifting goals.
Benstead said the Pumas’ turnaround was the result of hard work and a simple game plan.
“Everyone wants to know what the secret is but I really just keep it pretty simple,” he said.
“I come from a fitness background so I think if they are fit and prepared to do the basics of football, do the non-negotiates, and just play for one another then we are happy.
“We want to keep improving. Being consistent and winning each week is our next step.”
But with his side kicking 11 behinds and disposing of the ball poorly when approaching the attacking 50-metre line, Mountain Lions coach Nick Smith said his side had not made the most of its opportunities earlier in the match.
“I think we should have put them away by three-quarter time,” Smith said. “They are a good side, if you give them a chance then their home crowd gets behind them and they can play good football.
“I thought they played good football forward of the centre while we had the best of the ball in the middle of the ground but couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard.
In division 1 Dingley scored another big win against SFL powerhouse St Kilda City, winning by 25 points with Matthew Freeman and Andrew Frost among the best players.
The SFL will pause for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend with matches to resume on June 15.
SFL division 3 ladder: Doveton Eagles 32 points, 218.95 per cent; Mount Waverley 28, 176.86; Dandenong 24, 128.08; Lyndale 20, 108.54; Carrum Patterson Lakes 20, 106.91; Ashwood 16, 100.28; Sandown 12, 142.66; Black Rock 4, 54.79; Hallam 4, 50.31; Endeavour Hills 0, 44.82.
