Deer Park had to work hard to stave off a hungry St Albans for a 22-point win in the Western Region Football League division 1 at John McLeod Oval on Saturday.
Leading by six points at three-quarter time, the Lions ran the game out better, securing five goals to three in the last term.
Chris Stewart (four goals) and Jase Perkins (three) were focal points of the Lions’ attack, while Jake McKenzie took out best-on-ground honours.
It was a crucial result for the Lions as it moves them four points closer to ladder leader Hoppers Crossing, which had the bye last weekend.
St Albans is down in eighth spot with just two wins, and has bottom two, Albion and Wyndhamvale, breathing down its neck.
The game featured the two leading goalkickers in division one, with Perkins (33 goals) and Saints’ forward Michael Spooner (28) each kicking three for their respective side.
Sunshine Kangaroos had a disastrous game on home soil, going down to newly promoted Wyndhamvale by 27 points at Kinder Smith Reserve after leading by 30 points at half-time.
The Roos could manage only one second-half major as the Falcons banged on nine goals to their one.
Chris Graham was a thorn in the Roos’ side, posting five goals for the visitors.
Trent Waring and Daniel Castellano were the Roos’ only multiple goalkickers with two apiece.
The story was not much better for Albion.
The Cats were beaten at home by Altona to the tune of 50 points, placing them second-last on the ladder. Albion managed only two goals after quarter-time.
The division two and three competitions had their mid-season break over the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
In the second tier, Albanvale has the unenviable task of facing ladder-leader North Footscray straight out of the break.
The Cobras are a game clear inside the top four.
Caroline Springs has a trip to Glen Orden, which looms as a danger game for the premiership aspirants.
In division 3, North Sunshine will host Sunshine Heights at Dempster Park in a much-anticipated local derby.
