Deer Park is where it wanted to be at this point of the Essendon District Football League premier division season.
In what is proving to be a close competition between second and ninth, getting on a roll has been hard to come by.
With a tough start and several games on the road early in the season, Lions coach Jamie Madigan said they wanted to be in front of the ledger at this part of the season.
“We had four games away and only two at home,” he said. “We knew we had a tough draw and wanted to be in front of the win-loss, so being 4-3 was important to us.
“We have three of our next four at home.”
On Saturday, the Lions won two games in a row for the first time for the year as it accounted for Pascoe Vale.
Madigan said the Panthers record doesn’t really show how good that side is coming off a grand final last season.
“We had to fight to get the result,” he said. “We got out of the blocks strongly.
“There was a strong breeze to the club rooms end and we were kicking with it in the first quarter.
“Jackson Barling kicked three first quarter goals and was strong overhead.
“We knew kicking against the wind we had to make it into a stoppage fest and we put one behind the footy
“In the third quarter they kicked two goals against the wind, we had to do the same in the last quarter.”
The Lions kicked three final quarter goals to seal an 11.5 (85)-11.13 (79).
Barling finished with four goals, as did Lachie Smart.
Madigan said Hayden Gill was sensational in the ruck against Matthew Dennis, while Ling Jong and the two key forwards were other standouts.
He said they had spoken before the game about the importance of getting a bit more consistency.
“We had gone loss-win-loss-win-loss and win,” he said. “We knew this week was a good chance to make it two in a row.
“We have not been able to do that in a close competition. Anyone on their day can beat each other.
“It’s so close between second and ninth.”
The Lions have another big test this week, facing Aberfeldie which beat East Keilor by 314 points.
Ladder leaders Keilor had another big win, this time accounting for Greenvale, 19.18 (132)-3.2 (20).
Cody Brand kicked three goals for the Blues, while Darcy Weeks and Corey Ellis were named their best.
