The swagger was back for Deer Park – well, for a half at least – in Saturday’s 28-point win over Hoppers Crossing in the Western Region Football League division 1 at Hogans Road Reserve.
The Lions, five-time defending top-flight champions and still a premiership fancy, rebounded from a round-one loss to get into the winners’ circle for the first time this season with a 17.7 (109) – 11.15 (81) victory.
Lions’ coach Marc Bullen admitted it was far from a complete performance from his side, but it offered glimpses into its potential, particularly in a stunning eight-goal-to-zip opening term.
“Our first quarter was outstanding,” Bullen said. “It was some of the best footy we’ve played for a long period of time.
“Then we let the opposition back in by probably getting a bit ahead of ourselves and trying to do too much.
“We went away from our fundamentals.”
Deer Park was out-scored 79-59 in the final three quarters.
After a second-quarter slump, the Lions re-asserted control with a five-goal-to-two third quarter, but instead of going on to record a huge percentage-boosting win, they were out-scored five goals to two in the final term.
“Our first quarter, if we could maintain that sort of pressure and ball use forward of centre, we’re going to be a very good side,” Bullen said. “We know internally we’ve got a long way to go.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that the league has certainly improved across the board.
“Every single week there’s a quality opposition coming at us and when teams play Deer Park, they’re always up for a contest and take it to us, so we can’t afford to go away from the basic fundamentals.
“We over-handballed at certain stages and probably didn’t defend as well as we could’ve when they got their transition game going.
“Our last quarter has been disappointing the first two weeks and that’s something we’re going to have to address for sure.”
Bullen was just “pleased” to come away with the four points.
Deer Park utility Trent Williams put his stamp on the game with a best-on-ground showing. Williams was used in a variety of roles, but did his best work across half-forward.
“He was outstanding today,” Bullen said.
“He’s a six-foot-three mid that can play pretty much any part of the ground.
“I put him at centre half-forward and he kept presenting, kept working his backside off.
“At times, I also needed to use him in the ruck when ‘Stewy’ [Chris Stewart] went forward.”
Stewart was a work horse. Not only did he give Deer Park first use, he won plenty of the ball around the ground.
Shannon Byrnes and Kwame McHarg were important forward of centre, particularly early on. Byrnes racked up possessions at will, while McHarg slotted four goals.
Full-forward Jase Perkins also booted four.
The big tests continue to come for Deer Park. Next up is a trip to Spotswood, which is historically a difficult away venue for all teams.
Lance Jenkinson
