Lindenow caused a major upset in East Gippsland Junior Football Association under 15 grand final played at the Bairnsdale City Oval last Sunday, easily accounting for minor premier Wy Yung by 57 points.
The Cats struck form in the three weeks of finals playing an exciting brand of football, knocking off the three sides above them on the ladder at the end of the home and away season in consecutive weeks – Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance and ultimately Wy Yung.
To make the achievement more significant they were unable to beat any of those sides throughout the season, but football is about peaking on the right days and they certainly did that.
The first quarter was fast and free flowing, the ball moving from end to end with regularity, the competition’s good players quickly to the fore.
Issac Brown, Hunter Crane and Tyrone Clifford got plenty of ball for the Cats, while Hudson Froud, Jonah Linford and Luca Desio were seeing plenty of it for the Tigers.
The classy Linford kicked the first goal for the Tigers, but unfortunately he did most of his good work for the afternoon behind the ball as he struggled to combat the persistent forward thrusts of the Cats.
Cats forward livewire Malakai Hood-Marks looked dangerous all day finishing with three goals, including two in the first term when the match was looking for someone to rise above the pack and set the tone for the afternoon.
His efforts ensured the Cats secured a handy seven-point advantage at the first change.
The surprise packet of the first term was Cats centre half forward Harry Stewart, who provided a target and forced the Tigers to send Rayden Pooley back into defence to counter his height.
Pooley had worked hard in the first quarter up forward for Wy Yung taking several marks and being a target, but failed to have any scoreboard influence as he had to come well up the ground to have an impact.
Brown showed a glimpse of his immense talent early in the second term, dodging and weaving around numerous opponents, having four bounces only to spray his attempt when goal of the year looked likely.
An early goal from Vinnie Harrison (three goals) saw the Cats skip 21 points in front before Harvey Janson got one back, before Vinnie slotted another.
Lindenow ruckman Titus Harrison (three) looked to have injured his knee early in the quarter, but Cats supporters breathed a sigh of relief when he returned to the fray shortly after.
Ryan Hine, Lachlan Hodge, Draven White and Des Hine were steadfast across half back for Cats continually denying Tiger entries who were struggling for a forward who could take a big mark.
An injury to Tigers player Jordan Andrews delayed play for several minutes towards the end of the quarter, as intesnity in the match began to rise.
The Cats held a 17-point advantage at the long break.
The third quarter became a real arm wrestle as the Cats lost their offensive advantage when Vinnie Harrison was reported and sent off for striking, only for the Cats to realise later in the term they had only began the second half with 17 players and were in fact playing two short.
Low on numbers, players like Clifford, Brown and Hunter Crane went to another level to ensure their side didn’t lose to much momentum when playing short.
Both sides kicked a goal for the term, the Cats 15-point leaders with 20 minutes to play.
With the game up for grabs, many thought that given their season dominance the Tigers might get their mojo into gear and storm home, but it wasn’t to be.
The Cats kicked seven goals to one in final term of party footy as Clifford, Stewart, Hood-Marks, Brown, Vinnie and Titus Harrison (twice) all kicked majors.
Clifford was awarded the best player award for the Cats, with Brown and Crane honourable mentions and Titus Harrison not far behind in side that was littered with good contributors on the biggest stage.
Pooley picked up the medal for the Tigers, while Froud, Desio and Linford were their usual busy selves but most of their work was done too far from goal.
