By Lance Jenkinson
Deer Park coach Marc Bullen did not sugar-coat his disappointment at missing out on a sixth consecutive minor premiership in Western Region Football League division 1.
After winning the past five premierships from pole position, the Lions will have to take a longer route to the grand final after qualifying for the finals in second spot on the ladder.
The Lions have built a reputation as ruthless operators under Bullen, so they were not happy to settle for second, even if only in the minor premiership reckoning.
“It’s certainly disappointing,” Bullen said. “We were beaten by a better side last week in Werribee Districts, so you take it on the chin.
“After not being able to get the first week off in the finals, we’re in a bit of uncharted waters for a finals series.”
In the grand scheme of things, Deer Park missing out on the top ranking ahead of the finals is not all that important.
Sure, the Lions will miss out on the week’s break in week one of the finals, but that should not be too much of a hindrance in their quest for a sixth consecutive flag given the depth in their squad.
What will be a hurdle for the Lions is a beefed-up competition – there are five teams that could genuinely classify themselves as a premiership contender.
“With the abolishment of the AFL Victoria development league and the restrictions that AFL Victoria put on the football environment, which needed to happen and has been great, it’s been really enjoyable competition because every week there’s been a challenge,” Bullen said.
“You get excited as a coach and as a footy club that you’ve got to earn your four points every week. We’ve got the fight of our lives coming up in the finals because there’s five good sides in it.”
Deer Park will enter the finals on the back of a 181-point win over wooden spooner Wyndhamvale. Jase Perkins kicked 10 goals in the rout.
The Lions will face Hoppers Crossing in a tantalising qualifying final at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday. The elimination final, at the same venue a day earlier, will involve Werribee Districts and Spotswood.
In other round 18 results, St Albans won a thriller by two points over Albion at JR Parsons Reserve.
Sunshine finished its campaign on a three-game winning streak, overcoming Caroline Springs by 28 points at Kinder Smith Reserve.
In division 2, Albanvale had a season to forget. But it had an ending to remember as it upset Newport Power by 23 points at Robert Bruce Oval.
In division 3, Braybrook was clobbered by 73 points away to Tarneit in its final tune-up. The Brookers will meet the Wyndham Suns in the elimination final at Dempster Park on Sunday.
Sunshine Heights lost to minor premiers Point Cook Centrals by 35 points, while North Sunshine lost to the Wyndham Suns by 140 points.
In WRFL women’s, Caroline Springs was victorious by 23 points over Spotswood in the qualifying final. The Lakers will square off with Manor Lakes in the semi-final at Burbank Oval on Saturday, with the winner to advance directly to the grand final.
