Lindenow returned to form in style at home, outclassing last year’s grand finalist, Lucknow, by 91 points in the Mental Health Round as part of East Gippsland Football Netball League’s round seven.
Even with influential big man Jake Richards missing the long-anticipated clash with his old club, the Cats had all the answers from the first bounce, handing the Magpies a football lesson and damaging their hopes of pushing for a finals spot in 2026.
Lucknow welcomed back last year’s coach, Shaun Mooney, after a short stint heading up Morwell in the Gippsland League.
The victory pushed Lindenow back up to second on the ladder, locked in a battle with Wy Yung for the vital double-chance spot, four points behind premiership favourite Boisdale Briagolong.
Lucknow had chances to score in the first term but was unable to convert, with the Cats taking full advantage of their opportunities to open up an eight-point quarter-time advantage.
The home side’s defence was superb in the second term, led by Josh Lando and Jack Van Reyk, keeping the Magpies scoreless. Meanwhile, Lindenow’s numerous goalkicking options went to work, opening up a 37-point half-time advantage.
With Richards out, and Logan Dunkley and Peter Harrison not among the goa-kickers, the Cats got outstanding contributions in the front half from playing coach Justin Gould (five goals) and emerging youngsters Xavier Cook (four) and Titus Harrison (two).
The visitors finally got on the board in the third term when the energetic and smooth-moving Nick Mooney slotted a couple of majors. But there was no stopping the Cats, who put disappointing recent efforts against Boisdale Briagolong and Orbost Snowy Rovers behind them as they kicked seven goals to two in the second half to win as they liked.
Among the best were the usual suspects for the Cats, Gould and David Donchi, alongside a mix of new and old faces in Zac Stewart, Sam Confait, Patrick Alexander and Dion Grace. Stewart was a surprise packet in his first senior match for a couple of years, while Confait has enjoyed a consistent season since joining the club from Powerhouse. Grace was awarded the Mental Health Round medal.
Better players for the Magpies included Rhys Perkins, Tanner Croucher, Ashley Smith, Damian Hodder, Nick Mooney and Stevie Bertino.
Both sides will enjoy a well-earned rest this week before Lindenow heads down the highway to tackle Stratford in round eight, while Lucknow travels to Paynesville to take on the Gulls in a must-win match for both clubs from a confidence perspective.
