By JARROD POTTER
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
THE stat-sheet will lie about this result.
Harder tackling, better from the stoppages and stronger by foot all amounted to a heartbreaking loss as Lyndale could not convert its chances in the forward line and the Pumas fell by 28 points to a faster finishing Mount Waverley.
The odds were against the Pumas pushing past the SFL Division-3 minor premiers – coming off a 61-point hiding against the Mountain Lions three weeks earlier – but that did not faze the Halton Road boys early on.
Gunning it from the first bounce, Lyndale had the ball on a string to push inside their forward line well and truly over a dozen times in the first quarter. Lyndale’s high-intensity work rate started through the midfield, as the Pumas tackled tenaciously and set up clearances and inside-50s with ease. Early goals came from goal-sneak Trent Day (2 goals) as he peppered the uprights and tackled any defender that came near him through the first term. Trevor Kumetaitis (2 goals) had his highlight of the match at the end of the first term, kicking a spectacular banana goal after the siren to give Lyndale a one-point lead at the first break.
An early injury to Jarred Henshaw (ankle/leg) left the Pumas down a rotation on the bench and kept the headaches piling up for the coaching staff.
The wheels started to fall in earnest after half-time as the Mountain Lions generated their blistering spread. The likes of Dale Tormey and Ben Cox slogged through the midfield to set up the clearances, the Pumas still pushed onwards even as the match started to slip.
Lyndale was held together at the death by a solo forward spectacle from Brad Carroll (3 goals) – kicking his bag in the final term after a litany of strong, contested marks from seemingly any aerial battle.
The Pumas could not catch up to Mount Waverley as the minor premiers kicked away to triumph 14.9 (93) to 9.11 (65).
Lyndale coach Rod Benstead stood down as coach after the match – stating he wants to spend more time with his young family – but was immeasurably proud of the Pumas’ efforts to go most of the way against the powerhouse Mountain Lions.
“We really competed hard,” Benstead said.
“A lot of people thought we were going to be blown out of the water in the last quarter but we kept at them, and kept at them, and with a little bit of luck we could have added a bit more scoreboard pressure.
“I know I’ve said it most weeks but I’m really proud – it’s been a fantastic journey for me at this football club… the players have come a long way… I said after the game I thanked the players for what they were able to achieve in this short time.”
From wooden spooners in 2012 to five straight kicks away from a grand final, the progression shown by Benstead and the Pumas in short time has been spectacular.
“The club is going in the right direction – plenty of quality people here… it’s fantastic to coach them as the players get really close to you… you really enjoy the journey,” Benstead said.
“Pity we couldn’t get over the line today (Saturday), but the main point was our effort and our discipline was there for most of the four quarters… I said to the boys I was really proud.”
The coach praised the high-leaping Taylor Irish, Damien Wilsnach for his defensive marking and Alex Kerr for their stellar efforts on league powerhouse forward James Gough.
Lyndale still has one dog in the fight for a SFL premiership as its reserves square off against Carrum Patterson Lakes next weekend from 12pm at Ross Street Reserve.
SFL
MOUNT WAVERLEY 3.3 5.5 10.6 14.9 (93)
LYNDALE 3.4 3.6 5.8 9.11 (65)
Mount Waverley Goals: J. Gough 4, C. Jeffries 3, J. Rickard 2, G. Kinchington, I. Taylor, L. Morrey, C. Cafiso, K. Tribe. Best: I. Taylor, C. Jeffries, S. Jacobson, M. Dennis, K. Tribe, T. Dawson.
Lyndale Goals: B. Carroll 3, T. Kumetaitis 2, T. Day 2, M. Stuart, M. Greene. Best: S. Harrison, M. Stuart, A. Kerr, T. Isbister, D. Wilsnach, T. Irish.
