SFNL: Lyndale is returning to training as soon as possible in bid to ‘change culture’

New Lyndale coach Brendon Groenendyk is intent on transforming how the Pumas are perceived and believes it all starts with how they train. See why.

Lyndale FNC training for Paul Amy story on Suburban footy. Picture by Wayne Taylor 16th March 2023

New Lyndale coach Brendon Groenendyk is determined to change the perception of Lyndale and is adamant he can do so through the club’s training standards.

For those who haven’t been training for four weeks in what Groenendyk called “a pre pre-season”, training starts Monday, October 30.

He hopes the Pumas can alter its reputation to being known as one of the fittest and hardest-training clubs in the Southern league.

“We want to create a culture of: ‘we might be Division 4, but we can train anyway we want’,” he said.

“We can change the way the outside noise and outside people look at us – we want to be all fitness, one in all in, we have been doing a pre pre-season at BFT in Dandenong South.

“They’ve been a massive help for us. We had 18 last week, 14 the week before and 28 tonight (Wednesday).

“The buy in is huge, a lot of the blokes are very close to the end of their career, so the hunger is high.”

Lyndale is back at training on Monday. Picture: Wayne Taylor

There’s a new look at Lyndale, as Groenendyk takes over from Pat Robinson and a new president will take the reins from Ed McLean.

Groenendyk thinks the personnel refreshment will spark something in his side and feels the hunger within the group will remain high as he will be right alongside them.

“There’s lots of outside noise on Lyndale about what’s happened in the past, things like that – we want to change that,” he said.

“Not everything stays the same, new people, new president, first time we’ve had a playing-coach for a long time.

“Anything I make the players do, I am doing myself.”