By JARROD POTTER
DANDENONG ran their red legs off to claim a 10-point victory over the highly fancied Mount Waverley.
Needing to win to stay alive in this season’s SFL Division 3 finals, Dandenong bounced back from a six-point half-time deficit to rally and knock around the Mountain Lions down the stretch.
Kicking away to a 13.5 (83) to 11.7 (73) victory – Dandenong booked their second chance against Carrum Patterson Lakes next week after outrunning the Mountain Lions at Jack Barker Oval on Sunday.
Stephen Young and Matt Van Schajik were crucial up forward – jagging three goals each to push the Redlegs ahead at the final change and hold on to claim one of the club’s finest wins in recent seasons.
Ryan Forsyth, Trent Alexander and David Mckean won their positions handily while Damien Busch excelled down back, halting Mount Waverley’s dominant forward James Gough and keeping him to five goals – despite a number of chances.
Dandenong coach Dan Atkin said the loss to the Lions last week fuelled the Redlegs revival – demanding more of themselves on the training track and on field this week.
“We were extremely disappointed last week,” Atkin said. “Take nothing away from Carrum, they worked harder than us and used the ball a lot better as our work rate – but I don’t think our workrate and endeavour were there.
“We genuinely believe if we bring the work rate and intensity we can match it with the best teams in this division.
“We did that today and fought really hard and got away and can win.”
To defeat the Lions, Atkin wanted his side to keep it simple and play to the high standards that got them this far.
“Bring the intensity, work rate and accountability,” Atkin said. “The thing that definitely lost this game last week was our lack of accountability and if we give players of their class easy ball, they’re going to cut us up all the time.”
“Both sides are very evenly match and should be a very good prelim final – us and Carrum are probably the next best behind Doveton.”
These sides will face at Jack Barker Oval on Saturday from 2pm.
