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Pumas pounce on passion

Lyndale coach Matt Caples addresses his charges at quarter-time on Saturday. 19975 Lyndale coach Matt Caples addresses his charges at quarter-time on Saturday. 19975

By Paul Pickering
THE champ’s return aside, Saturday’s rousing victory over Caulfield may yet prove to be the beginning of better times for Lyndale in Division Two.
No doubt the emotion of Glenn Archer’s appearance was largely responsible for the 24-point upset, but Pumas coach Matt Caples had more reasons for optimism after the match.
Lyndale’s on-ball division had the better of a more-fancied Bears unit for much of the game, and it wasn’t just the regular contributors such as Jeff Dudi and Anthony Grace that shone through.
Ruckman Chris Briggs gave his team-mates first use of the ball and pushed into defence intelligently throughout the match.
Meanwhile, spearhead Adrian McCracken was lively and accurate in front of goals, and the return of skipper Tristan Caples injected a welcome dose of leadership.
So while the coach stopped short of predicting a Lyndale resurgence, he was buoyed by the performance.
“Caulfield was probably a bit unlucky to get us on this day, but I definitely think the guys have been improving,” Matt Caples said.
“And if they keep that attitude, we’ll win a few more games.
“Hopefully we can build on today and go on with it.”
Elsewhere in Division Two, Dingley completed a low-key demolition of Murrumbeena, conceding just one goal in the second half to win by 78 points.
The Dingoes recovered from a sluggish start to turn a nine-point quarter-time deficit into 28-point half-time advantage.
They never looked back as big men Daniel Atkin, Darren Andrews and Stephen Pitt established the supremacy in the air, while the likes of Tolga Ayyuce and Daniel Turcarelli found the ball at will on the ground.
In Division One, Springvale Districts proved to be no match for Clayton in the Sunday fixture, trailing throughout to go down by 45 points.
Despite the best efforts of defenders John McMurray and Paul Murphy, the Demons conceded seven goals in the final quarter to see a 14-point deficit turn into a blow-out.
In Division Three, the Doveton Eagles easily accounted for cross-town foe Dandenong, cruising to a 77-point win on the back of a seven-goal haul from Ricky Ramsdale.
William Jessop and former Demon Adrian Piccioli were among the best for the Eagles, while the visitors received solid contributions from Brad Rae and Eddie Connor (five goals).
Meanwhile, eight goals from Shane Cosstick were not enough to save the Sandown Cobras from a disappointing fade out against Cerberus.
The Cobras led by two points at the final break, only to lose by 25 points.

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