Deer Park found itself in unfamiliar territory on Saturday with the Lions handed their first loss since 2013.
Taking on Werribee Districts, Deer Park went down by a thumping 55 points in a result that throws the Western Region Football League premiership race wide open.
Despite their side trailing by 21 points at half-time, many Lions supporters at Soldiers Reserve could have been excused for thinking it was just a matter of flicking the switch for their usual dominance to come to the fore.
But an uncharacteristic scoreless third term from Deer Park saw it go down.
Werribee Districts kicked four final-quarter goals to seal the 12.17 (89) – 5.4 (34) win.
Shaun McGuinness was outstanding for the Tigers and was named his side’s best player. He was well supported by Andrew Panayi, Scott Miller and Ryan Harrington, who each kicked three goals.
Deer Park didn’t have a multiple goal-kicker in the loss.
In just his third match for the year, James Condos booted one goal for the Lions.
Speaking before his side’s match at the weekend, Deer Park coach Marc Bullen said it was vital to get Condos back to full fitness after he had taken a mid-season break.
“James is a huge value to our side. He is a lynchpin for us up forward,” Bullen said.
“He is very passionate about the footy club. He is an ex-coach, he is a leader and a lot of the young kids look up to him.
“At the moment he is only at about 60 per cent so if we can get him up towards 100 we will be pretty happy.”
Deer Park is still clearly on top of the Western Region Football League ladder – although the Lions’ weekend loss is sure to have given opposition sides plenty of heart.
The Lions have a six-point gap over second-placed Hoppers Crossing.
Deer Park will have the perfect chance to bounce back this weekend when the Lions take on competition struggler Albion.
