EFL 2019: Lilydale ends five-game losing streak

Lilydale snapped a five-game losing streak with a 33-point win over Park Orchards, improving its record to 6-5 to keep in touch with the Division 1 top five.

Jayden Depace was one of Lilydale’s best players. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Lilydale coach Ben Neagle knew the results would turn.

He could see the signs.

The Falcons started 5-0 but dropped their next five to be in danger of falling out of the EFL Division 1 top five.

There was a 47-point defeat against ladder-leader Doncaster East in Round 10, but Neagle was encouraged by the performance.

And on Saturday, Lilydale rediscovered some of its early season form to end a five-game losing streak, prevailing by 33 points over Park Orchards at Domeney Reserve.

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“We felt like we’ve been building for two or three weeks,” Neagle said.

“We were happy with the way we went last week against Doncaster East in terms of at the contest, we felt we were getting that back but they were just more clinical than us and used the footy really well.

“This week we built on that performance from last week and we put four quarters together.”

Neagle said he was “definitely concerned” about his side’s form, but “was always confident we could get it back”.

“The guys have been working really hard at training. The last three weeks has been building so the training standards and the intensity at training and how they’re challenging each other was really good,” he said.

“I knew we’d get it back, there were little signs over the last few weeks that we felt like we were on the right track.”

The win kept Lilydale’s record in the positive at 6-5 thanks to seven goals to one in the third quarter, leapfrogging Park Orchards into fourth on the ladder.

Forward Lachlan Koger returned from injury, while Brad Lowe kicked four goals to be among the best players.

Neagle said Sam Baker was “outstanding in the wet conditions” and Ryan McNay “had his best game for the season”.

“We just went back to some basic things we have been lacking for a few weeks,” he said.

“Obviously there is a heck of a long way to go and it just keeps us in touch with the top three.”

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