Southern league Division 4: Lyndale holds out doughty Dandenong

The son of a club great figured in Lyndale’s first win of the season, over a hard-finishing Dandenong at Greaves Reserve.

For Lyndale, the wait to sing the song was long.

Lyndale sang two songs on Saturday.

The first was to celebrate a victory over Dandenong at Greaves Reserve. Given the number of new players at the club, a few struggled with the words.

They had no trouble with their lines for the second song, a happy birthday for coach Chris Egan, who turned 42.

The win was a lifter for Egan and his charges after heavy defeats against Carrum Patterson Lakes and Frankston Dolphins to start the season.

Dandy were also looking to break through after losses in the first two rounds.

They came hard in the final quarter but the Pumas held on to win 14.14 (98) to 12.10 (82).

Egan said it was if Dandenong had sent a new team on to the ground for the last quarter, with the Redlegs playing impressive dry-weather football in wet conditions.

He said they weren’t far away from a win.

“They were amazing. I said that to their coach (Kerry Ashford) after the game,’’ Egan said.

Lyndale enjoyed its victory. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Lyndale stalwart Trevor Kumetaitis kicked six goals, Trent Day booted three and ruckman Brendon Groenendyk got the side going out of the middle.

Adjei Boahene, new co-captain Jordan Agnello and Jayden Denmead were named the best three.

Groenendyk is among the many new faces at Halton Rd this season.

“There are a lot of connections with friends bringing friends,’’ Egan said.

“On Saturday there would have been close to 10 new blokes, or blokes who hadn’t played football for a while and are just starting to get back into it.

Jackson Collard is new to the senior team but as the son of club stalwarts Murray and Debbie he knows his way around the place.

Murray played a lot of good football for Lyndale and served it tirelessly off the ground too.

Lyndale’s Brendon Groenendyk goes up against Dandenong’s Ashton Brunning.

Young “Jacko’’ was playing Under 19 football for Noble Park. He made his senior debut in Round 2.

“He’s the same as his old man, has got a real head for football, just knows where to go, is really smart,’’ Egan said.

“As his fitness improves he’s definitely going to be a good addition to the midfield and down forward as well.’’

Lyndale supporters join in the chorus. Picture: Stuart Milligan

It was Lyndale’s first victory since Round 18 of the 2019 season (that also came at the expense of Dandenong) and Egan said his team was capable of winning more games.

“There’s still a lot of systems and things that these guys need to learn,’’ he said.

“We get passages where we play well and then there are lapses. But there were some really good signs on Saturday. If the guys keep hitting the track, the rewards will come and we’ll definitely improve. It was great to see them get together after the game and really lap it up. That’s what you play for, those first 10 minutes after a win. You can’t really replicate that. After a year off and coming off a couple of tough games, it was a really enjoyable moment.’’

A marking contest at Greaves Reserve.

The Lyndale reserves also won.

For Dandenong, Brock Jenkins kicked four goals and Luke Dinger was outstanding in defence and when moved further up the ground. Egan thought Dinger was exceptional.