Unbeaten Lindenow has moved to the top of the East Gippsland Football Netball League ladder after defeating reigning premier Wy Yung at Bullumwaal Road in a high-quality round three clash.
Momentum swung repeatedly throughout the contest, with Wy Yung holding a quarter-time lead before Lindenow reduced the margin to just one point at half time.
The Cats then broke the game open in the third term, kicking three unanswered goals to establish a 15-point buffer at the final change. Wy Yung responded strongly in the last quarter, closing the gap to three points in time-on.
However, Lindenow steadied when it mattered most, with a third goal to Peter Harrison restoring a nine-point advantage. The Tigers again fought back, but Mitch Toms kicked truly after the siren to reduce the final margin to three points.
The Don Alexander Memorial Shield returned to at the Cattery for the first time in five years.
Lindenow coach Justin Gould led from the front and was among the Cats’ best, alongside veteran David Donchi, Jake Richards, Rohan Blandford, Aidan Kell and Cameron McPhan, who finished with two goals.
For Wy Yung, Brad Daniel and Harry Kellow kicked two goals apiece, while Jack Halabut, Jai Nicholls, Jovi Kellow, Jett Murphy, Ridge Peters and Aaron Hanuera were among the better contributors.
The win was a significant result for Lindenow, which has endured heavy defeats at the hands of Wy Yung in recent seasons.
The Tigers are expected to regain several key premiership players in the coming weeks as they look to rebound from the narrow loss.
