By Lance Jenkinson
Deer Park’s bid for a seventh consecutive Western Region Football League division 1 premiership has received a boost after it secured a double chance in the finals.
The Lions needed only to win their final round game against Point Cook, but they left nothing to chance with a massive 136-point victory at John McLeod Oval on Saturday.
The Marc Bullen-coached Lions piled on 26 goals for the game, including a seven-goal-to-one first quarter.
Chris Stewart was menacing as a key forward, booting seven goals. Stewart has booted 39 goals this season.
Kwame McHarg capped a best-on-ground performance for Deer Park with five goals.
Jase Perkins snared three goals to take his season tally to a league-best 71 for the home-and-away rounds.
Deer Park faces a juicy qualifying final showdown with Spotswood at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday. The winner will face Altona in the semi-finals for a direct path to the grand final.
The elimination final will take place between Hoppers Crossing and Werribee Districts on Sunday at Avalon Airport Oval.
Elsewhere in division 1, St Albans had a disappointing finish to an otherwise successful season under first-year coach Perry Meka.
The Saints could manage only two goals in a 97-point mauling at the hands of Altona.
Albion’s season of misery is finally over after a 218-point loss to Hoppers Crossing.
Caroline Springs endured a tough day at the office, kicking two goals in a 127-point thumping by Spotswood.
Sunshine fought hard against Werribee Districts before going down by 48 points.
In division 3, Albanvale has won the minor premiership after plenty of jockeying between the leading contenders over the 18 rounds.
The Cobras locked up the top ranking in the finals with a comfortable 76-point win away to Laverton.
Sunshine Heights won a thriller by seven points over Braybrook to secure second spot and the double chance. Matthew Gauci capped a best-field display for the Dragons with four goals.
Albanvale and Sunshine Heights will square off in a second semi-final at Pennell Reserve on Saturday with the winner advancing to the grand final. The loser will meet the winner of the cut-throat semi-final between Glen Orden and Tarneit.
In division 2, minor premier Wyndhamvale will host Yarraville Seddon in the second semi-final at JR Parsons Reserve on Saturday, while Point Cook Centrals and Parkside will meet in the cut-throat semi at the same venue on Sunday.
In the WRFL Women’s, Caroline Springs is licking its wounds after a 25-point defeat to Spotswood in the qualifying final at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday. The Lakers will have to take the long way to the cup – a cut-throat semi-final date with Werribee Centrals.
Manor Lakes and Spotswood will feature in the major semi-final.
