Deer Park is the latest in a long line of teams to fall victim to the Mentone graveyard in the Bowls Victoria premier division.
The Lions went into the game hopeful, but reality struck with a 91-63 defeat on the road at the Swanston Street venue on Saturday.
Lions president Neil Cromie conceded history was against his side.
“On their surface, they don’t lose many games at all,” Cromie said. “I think they’ve only lost about two games in the last three years.
“They’re very hard to beat at home.
“It’s disappointing to lose, but not completely unexpected.”
Deer Park is still adapting to life in the top division.
It’s far too early to tell where the Lions fit in the pecking after three games, which has yielded a 1-2 record.
The next three weeks could give an indication though with the Lions facing a team from each third of the ladder as it currently stands.
“I think the next three weeks will tell how competitive we really are,” Cromie said.
“We play a side that’s above us and two sides we think will be around us.
“We’ll know from there how good we actually are.”
Deer Park is aiming for a 50 per cent record at the mid-point of the season.
If the Lions can achieve that, the draw will open up for them with the majority of their post-Christmas games to be played at home.
There is still plenty of work for the Lions to get up to their optimum levels as a team.
“Obviously when you go up a grade, it is a big step up,” Cromie said. “If you’re not quite on your game, you get found out.
“We’re starting to realise now what it takes and the more we play together, the better we will get.”
Deer Park will square off with long-time powerhouse Altona, away on Saturday.
The Lions are hoping this will be the start of a long top-flight rivalry between the two western suburbs clubs.
