Lindenow Football Netball Club stamped itself as the team of the decade by claiming its fourth East Gippsland Football Netball League senior premiership since 2011 on Saturday.
The Cats, in front of a record crowd (gate takings $21,045.10), dismantled Boisdale Briagolong in what was a one-sided decider, livewire Darren Allen the star with four goals as his side sealed a 47point victory.
Allen had a huge day, earlier in the morning welcoming his third child, before adding a third premiership medallion and his first best-on-ground medal in a grand final.
Justin Gould became the third Lindenow premiership coach of the decade in his first year at the helm, joining Kane Ashwood (2016 and 2017) and Paul Carroll (2011).
Ashwood played alongside Gould on Saturday while Carroll was the coach’s voice from the bench – all three playing a significant part in the Cats’ rise since 2010.
Not only has Lindenow won four grand finals in the past decade, it has also lost three (2010 to Bairnsdale, 2012 to Lucknow and 2015 to Wy Yung), playing off in seven of 10 possible deciders. Stratford (2), Wy Yung, Paynesville, Lucknow and Bairnsdale have been the other senior premiers over that stretch.
Mark Baylis, Lachlan Dumaresq and Bayden Ashwood have played in all four Cats triumphs this decade, Ashwood also having two premierships with Wy Yung to his name. Mick Preston (who was part of Bairnsdale’s dominance from 2000 to 2010) celebrated his eighth senior premiership.
Stratford also locked it itself in as the best “A” grade netball outfit of the past 10 years, also winning its fourth title with a five-goal victory over Orbost Snowy.
The Swans added to their premiership three-peat from 2013 to 2015. Goal attack, Maddison Telling, won the best on court medal as her side overcame a slow start to get past the Blues.
The Swans, along with Wy Yung and Lakes Entrance, were the most successful clubs in terms of premierships won for the season with two each, Lindenow, Boisdale Briagolong and Orbost Snowy taking home one each with Paynesville and Lucknow missing out.
PICTURED: Lindenow Football Netball Club’s senior footballers belt out the team song after defeating Boisdale Briagolong by 47 points in Saturday’s East Gippsland Football Netball League grand final at Bairnsdale City Oval. Angus Fortune, pictured inside the team circle, celebrated his birthday with a premiership medallion.
