By Glen Atwell
LYNDALE slumped to eighth on the Southern Football League (SFL) Division Two ladder after Ashwood delivered it a knockout punch at Barry Powell Reserve on Saturday.
And coach Paul Wilson has promised a major mid-season shake-up to turn the tide on what has been a lacklustre season.
The Pumas led by two goals at half-time, and by the same margin at three-quarter time, but surrendered the four points as Ashwood ran rampant in the final term, kicking nine goals to three to win by 27 points.
Lyndale kicked the first goal of the final term to extend its lead to 18 points, but soon switched off then panicked as Ashwood slammed home consecutive goals.
Wilson, clearly frustrated, said a lack of discipline cost his side an important win.
“I was convinced it was going to be our day, we had controlled the game,” he said.
“But panic set in and Ashwood was prepared to run hard and finish off, full credit to them.”
After the match, Wilson put every player on notice.
“At the moment, only about 20 players are at Tuesday night training – that’s unacceptable,” he said.
“There were some unacceptable examples of discipline during the last quarter of Saturday’s game.
“A number of players putting their hand up in the reserves will get games, we won’t settle for mediocrity any longer.”
Lyndale has played nine debutants so far this season, and could add another couple to that figure when the Pumas take on the Parkmore Pirates at home on Saturday.
Dingley v Caulfield
DINGLEY bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 56-point win against final four hopeful Caulfield in SFL Division Two action at Souter Oval on Saturday.
The Dingoes’ return to winning ways was spearheaded by a best on ground performance from Clinton Brooks and four goals to full-forward Adam Quinn.
Dingley charged to a seven-goal lead at half-time, and unlike their ill-fated second half fade-out against Springvale, the Dingoes finished off in style, booting six goals to Caulfield’s three in the second half.
Steven DeBolfo was at his usual best, racking up countless possessions and kicking a goal in another top-notch performance.
Stephen Pitt and Brett Gniel both chimed in with three goals each for the Dingoes.
Despite the win, Dingley can’t move any higher than second on the Division Two ladder, at least until the undefeated Springvale Districts stumble in the second half of the season.
This Saturday Dingley hosts the Moorabbin Kangaroos at Souter Oval.
Parkmore v Moorabbin
THE Parkmore Pirates booted a season-high score against Moorabbin on Saturday, but it was still not enough to come within 100 points of victory.
Parkmore kicked two first-quarter goals and finished with 5.6 for the match, scoring a total of 36 points.
But it was nowhere near enough to stop the Kangaroos bouncing their way to an impressive 162-point win.
