THE race for the Western Region Football League division 1 flag was blown wide open as Deer Park lost only its second game for the season on Saturday.
The Lions, who won their first 11 games, were belted by Spotswood, 4.9 (33) to 15.10 (100). They remain first on the ladder, but Spotswood is now just four points behind with two games to go.
PICTURE GALLERY: Deer Park v Spotswood
First position is highly valued, with the minor premier going straight through to the second week of finals. Deer Park (first, 14-2, 211.4%) plays Port Colts and Hoppers Crossing in the final rounds – teams they beat comfortably earlier in the season.
Spotswood (second, 13-3, 234.8%) and Sunshine (third, 13-3, 149.9%) are the only teams that can mathematically take top spot. The two meet this weekend.
Kicking with a strong breeze in the opening term, Deer Park booted three goals to one to lead by 14 at quarter time but managed just one goal for the rest of the game.
The Woodsmen took control in the second term with six goals and went into the final break with a 30-point lead after restricting Deer Park to just three behinds in the third quarter.
That comfortable lead laid the foundations for a thumping, as Spotswood kicked seven to one in the final term, a quarter which dispirited Deer Park coach Marc Bullen labelled a “procession”.
Much like the round 12 loss to Sunshine, Bullen put the result down to effort and attitude.
“It was a very important day for the footy club. We had a function on, all our supporters were there, the reserves and the under-18s got up, and for our boys to put in an effort like that, three weeks out from finals, was very disappointing,” he said.
Bullen said too many of its best players had quiet games, with the likes of Kwame McHarg held goalless and others being light on impact.
“We had a lot of prime movers down and they had little influence. Full credit goes to Spotty, who turned up to play and were better in the clinches and contested footy than us, better going forward. But you’re never going to win games when your best players are down. The Lions remain confident of winning their first division 1 flag since 1994, if the “right attitude and effort” is found.
“We’re still keen to secure first spot and give our injured players that week off,” says Bullen. “We’re still confident we can beat anyone with the right attitude and effort, but that didn’t happen against Spotswood.”
Sunshine jumped to third on the ladder with a 15.12 (102) to 10.4 (64) win over Yarraville Seddon.
The Kangaroos trailed by three points at three-quarter time but booted six in the final term and kept the Eagles goalless. Albion enjoyed a 14.19 (103) to 9.15 (69) upset win over Hoppers Crossing.
