SFNL: Lyndale has improved its premiership push with the signing of a proven goal kicker

A rising Southern league club has quickly bolstered its 2025 premiership credentials with the addition of a noted goal kicker. Read from him and the club here.

Mark Stevens (left). Picture: Davis Harrigan

Lyndale has wasted no time in speeding up its push for a Southern league Division 4 premiership with the addition of an experienced forward.

The Pumas rose from battlers to challengers in the space of 12 months and led at the final change of this year’s preliminary final.

Lyndale was eventually overrun by Hallam in that final but came away aware of its need for a seasoned spearhead.

And the Pumas are confident they have found their fix, signing Mark Stevens as a playing assistant coach for 2025.

Stevens kicked 58 goals in just 18 matches at Oakleigh Districts in 2024 including a singular haul of 11.

He joins at the back end of his career with a desire to steer young footballers to success.

Stevens said his decision to move to Lyndale was more for the opportunity to “give a bit back” as a coach than it was to lead the Pumas’ forward line.

“That’s something I want to do, give a bit back to football, as I move on a bit with my age,” he said.

“I am really keen because I have taken it upon myself to take in people at previous clubs and work with the backs at training sessions.

“Now being able to do that officially, people come to you and approach a bit more.”

Mark Stevens. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Stevens does have ambitions to be a senior coach one day but is happy to build his coaching experience while enjoying the twilight of his playing career.

He reached an elimination final at Oakleigh Districts and is excited by the thought of another crack at a premiership at Lyndale.

“They’ve (Lyndale) had a mission, had a dream and tried to recruit accordingly,” he said.

“I know the younger players from last season are sticking around and they’re only going to get that bit more experience.

“Come finals time they’ll be better for it and hopefully get the job done in 2025.”

Lyndale coach Brendon Groenendyk. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The addition of Stevens will allow playing-coach Brendon Groenendyk to return to the ruck despite running third in the league medal this year as a forward.

Groenendyk said Stevens was a “huge” coup for the Pumas who he felt weren’t far away this season.

“I personally don’t think we were missing too much this year, everything was there besides a few little cogs,” he said.

“Players played out of position but we still achieved a lot more than we set out to at the start of the year.

“Having someone like Stevo, coming off 58 goals in Eastern Div 3, it’s going to be huge for us.

“It’s his experience, he can teach the younger kids and that was probably the biggest thing for me getting him across.”