By Lance Jenkinson
Deer Park had to overcome more than just one hurdle to record a win in week one of the Western Region Football League division 1 finals.
If an in-form Hoppers Crossing was not enough, the Lions had to contend with a number of injuries at just the wrong time.
The Lions were still good enough to kick-start their finals campaign in style with a 48-point win over Hoppers at Avalon Airport Oval in Werribee on Saturday.
Lions coach Marc Bullen said he was proud of his team’s resilience.
“It was an absolutely courageous effort today from the boys,” he said.
“To win the way we did and hit the line the way we did was a fantastic effort.”
The mishaps began long before the ball was bounced at 2.15pm.
The morning of the game, James Wong pulled out for Deer Park, then Tim Knight withdrew after an issue in the warm-up.
Sohrob Ismail and Paul Bower were injured during the game, leaving the Lions two down.
It caught the Lions on the hop.
“Young Mickey Nicholls played reserves and then had to rush to the changerooms before the bounce to play a second game,” Bullen said.
“He did a fantastic job, the young fella at wing and half-back.”
Not surprisingly, Deer Park started the game slowly. The Lions trailed by two at quarter-time, but wrestled the lead back by half-time.
Eventually, the Lions’ upper echelon of players lifted and led the way for their side.
The Lions kicked five goals to one in the third quarter to open up a healthy 29-point lead.
Hoppers Crossing kicked the first goal of the fourth quarter, but when Kevin Klix responded with a major of his own, the Lions knew they were on their way to victory.
Kwame McHarg was outstanding for Deer Park. His willingness to cover the length of the field inspired his teammates.
“He played predominantly forward, but he worked his backside off,” Bullen said.
The match-winning move for Deer Park was parking renowned ruckman Chris Stewart in the forward line for the most part. He finished with five goals.
Stewart was only able to be the Lions forward presence because of the tireless work of Scott Greenhough, who took on the bulk of the ruck work and did so with aplomb.
Deer Park will carry its double chance through to the second week of the finals.
The Lions will face Altona in the second semi-final at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday with the winner to advance to the grand final.
In the elimination final, Spotswood defeated Werribee Districts by 23 points to keep its season alive. The Woodsmen will play Hoppers Crossing in a cut-throat semi-final at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday.
In division 2, Parkside ended North Footscray’s season in a 13-point win at Burbank Oval. The Magpies have advanced to the preliminary final, where they will play Point Cook for the right to face Yarraville Seddon in the grand final. Yarraville Seddon beat Point Cook by 28 points in the major semi.
In division 3, Wyndham Suns lived to
fight another day after a 58-point win over Braybrook.
The Suns will face off with local rivals Tarneit in the preliminary final.
Point Cook Centrals are grand final-bound after beating Tarneit by 17 points.
