A national title, a state league premiership and the most valuable player in the game … could the year get any better for Newport lacrosse star Lyndsey Paton?
Paton took out the state league women’s top award just days after leading the Porters to their 23rd premiership.
She played a starring role in the Porters’ midfield in a come-from-behind grand final triumph over Footscray.
Paton said the MVP was an unexpected bonus. “It was a shock more than anything,” she said. “I didn’t really think about it to be honest. It was a great honour and it’s been a good year.”
At 26, Paton is in the prime of her career. Last season, she represented Australia’s senior team at the world cup, claiming a bronze medal.
She was a walk-up start for the Victorian team at this year’s national championships, a side that went on to take out the top prize.While Paton has scaled lofty heights on the representative scene, she understands the need to keep improving with so many young, hungry players making their way at state league level.
Working in her favour in the second half of the season was a team pact to leave no stone unturned in the run in to the finals and undertake two or three intense running sessions every week.
That gave her the edge over opponents late in games, which might have stuck in the umpires’ minds when distributing the votes.
“I tried to improve my game this year to become a strong midfielder on both ends,” Paton said.
“This year, I really tried to focus on my fitness and that’s probably what helped me. You need to be pretty fit as a midfielder.
“Six weeks out of the finals our team made a commitment to each other that we’d pick up our fitness.”
Paton credits the impact of coach Sue Sofarnos for improvements made to her game and the team.
Sofarnos was last week recognised as community coach of the year at the Community Sports and Recreation Awards.
“With Sue being our coach, you’re constantly getting better and growing each time we train and play,” Paton said.
“She’s just a wealth of knowledge and we’re so lucky to have her as a coach. She lives and breathes lacrosse, so hopefully she gets a gig for the next Australian side.”
Paton’s family has a long association with Newport.
Her aunty Margaret, who played for Australia at six world cups, mother Janet and sister Marlee, who is finishing up a college scholarship in the US, all had long careers with the club.
“My aunty and my mum were in some of those premiership teams back in the day, so it’s pretty special to carry it on,” Paton said.
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