Deer Park continues to add to its legacy as the most dominant team in Western Region Football League division 1 history.
The Lions latest feat – joining their four-peat premiership run – is the fifth consecutive minor premiership achieved on Saturday.
A runaway 99-point win over Caroline Springs, in front of home fans at John McLeod Oval, ensures the Lions will have the same launching pad for the finals that has served them so well in the past four seasons.
Lions coach Marc Bullen said focus had been placed on finishing top and gaining the “freshen-up week” leading into the finals.
“It’s been beneficial for us the last few years,” he said. “To be able to do that after getting the job done on the weekend was terrific.”
Deer Park has spent the best part of five seasons as premiership favourite, but has also had the pressure of having a target on its back.
In home-and-away games between 2013-17, the Lions have played 85 for a return of 77 wins, seven losses and a draw. The squad is one of the best ever assembled in the WRFL – but it has had to work through occasional hiccups.
In the early part of this season, Deer Park endured a narrow escape against Altona and a loss to Spotswood.
But the Lions came through to notch up another dominant season, losing just once in the first 17 rounds.
This season has been a little bit different, in that Bullen has relied less on individual brilliance and more on the evenness of his squad to maintain dominance.
“To be minor premiers five years in a row is a pretty amazing feat,” Bullen said.
“To be able to come through games when we weren’t playing very well and we’ve been able to prevail – we’re so happy as a footy club at the moment.”
Deer Park’s win over Caroline Springs came on the back of a Chris Stewart masterclass. Stewart kicked six goals and took more than 15 marks in a dominant display. Jack Purton-Smith played his game best of the season, while Kwame McHarg and Jase Perkins kicked five goals apiece. Daniel Cooper has added another marking option to the side.
Elsewhere, Todd Finco kicked four goals for Albion in a 25-point loss to Hoppers Crossing, while St Albans was disappointing in a 16-point loss to cellar dweller Wyndhamvale.
In division 2, Albanvale has tumbled out of the top four after a 75-point hammering at the hands of Newport Power.
To make the finals, the Cobras will need to beat Manor Lakes in the final round at home on Saturday and hope Newport loses to Yarraville-Seddon.
In division 3, North Sunshine had a narrow 11-point win over a plucky Laverton, while Sunshine Heights suffered a shock 32-point loss to Sanctuary Lakes.
