Deer Park is home to one of the most impressive forward lines in suburban football.
The likes of Bret Thornton, Ryan Houlihan, Kwame McHarg and James Wong alone are enough to instil fear into any backline.
But the centrepiece in the operation is goal-kicking machine James Condos.
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After taking a year off playing football because of groin, hip and lower back injury concerns, Condos has looked right at home in his return with bags of five goals, 10
goals and eight goals; the perfect start to his season.
The 31-year-old said he was rapt to be back on the field and was quick to praise his teammates for helping him to have an early impact.
“The form of the team is what is really helping me get a kick,” Condos said.
“I think there are 12 to 14 new players in the side from last year and the way the boys have all gelled so far and adapted to Bully’s [senior coach Marc Bullen] game style and game plans has been great.
“That has probably been the biggest positive out of everything.”
Condos is one of the main players behind Deer Park’s rise up the ranks of the Western Region Football League in the past few years.
He was a playing head coach in the club’s 2011 division two premiership win and ensured the Lions’ first year in division one was a successful one.
With his injury concerns worsening, he stepped down from his role at the end of 2012, subsequently missing out on playing in the club’s premiership last year.
Condos said watching his teammates celebrate the flag was a driving force for him to achieve success this season.
“I was there supporting the boys [on grand final day] last year,” Condos said.
“It was terrific and there is nothing better. That is what we play footy for.
“There is unfinished business there. That is one of the main reasons that Goldy [Deer Park president Mark McGoldrick)]got me back to the club.
“Once I started the preseason and I knew it was all good, things just went full steam ahead.”
Deer Park is so far undefeated and on top of the WRFLeague ladder.
