THE winds of change are blowing through the Western Region Football League’s division 1.
That much was evident as Deer Park dominated the final term against Spotswood at McLean Reserve on Saturday.
The Lions, trailing by two points at three-quarter-time in a low-scoring affair, went on a rampage, booting eight goals to three to run out 26-point winners.
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After eight rounds, Deer Park is on top of the ladder, undefeated, having beaten both last year’s grand finalists. Former Bomber Andrew Lovett has played only one game and high-profile EDFL recruit Heath Ayres just two. A couple of hours after the game, coach Marc Bullen spoke with restrained ebullience.
“It’s exciting for the footy club,” he said. “To beat Spotswood on their home deck, the first time we’ve played them, is very exciting.
“But we have to keep a lid on things. Footy can turn quite dramatically, I’ve been around long enough to know that. What’s happening now might not be the same later in the year. We’ve still gotta play Altona and Spotswood another couple of times.
“We’ve just gotta keep going out there with our game plan and structures in place, if we continue to stick by those … we’re confident that our talent will come to the fore.”
Spotswood, grand finalist of the past six seasons and premier in four, matched Deer Park for the first three quarters. In a tight, physical affair, the Woodsmen showed why they will again be hard to beat come finals.
The Lions led at quarter-time and half-time, though just seven goals had been kicked between the two sides at the long break. Deer Park led by nine, but lost its lead during the third quarter as Spotswood kicked two goals to one.
The game might have been different but for inaccuracy in front of goal. Spotswood kicked six behinds in the third and 15 for the game; Deer Park had 5.9 to three-quarter-time.
The Lions were impressive in the final quarter, greatly pleasing Bullen, who saw the side’s 58-point three-quarter-time lead against Altona contract to 15 a few weeks ago.
“We put some fresh legs through the midfield in the last quarter,” he said.
In other results, Albion lost to Hoppers Crossing by 60 points, St Albans had a thrilling 17-point victory over Altona and Sunshine beat Yarraville Seddon by 45 points.
Spotswood 8.15 (63) lt Deer Park 13.11 (89), Albion 12.13 (85) lt Hoppers Crossing 21.19 (145), Altona 11.9 (75) lt St Albans 14.8 (92), Sunshine 20.10 (130) d Yarraville Seddon 12.13 (85).
Round nine fixture
Port Colts v Deer Park, St Albans v Albion, Sunshine v Spotswood.
