Deer Park rubbed salt into Sunshine Kangaroo wounds in the Western Region Football League division 1 grand final re-match at John McLeod Oval on Saturday.
In a clash between two desperate sides entering the round with 1-2 records, the Lions emerged with a 66-point win that squared their season ledger and left the Kangaroos languishing third last on the ladder.
It was a competitive game up until half-time, when the Lions led by 11.
But the second half turned into a rout as the Lions piled on 10 goals to two.
The usual suspects came to the fore for Deer Park. Veterans Shannon Byrnes and Chris Stewart were once again prominent for the Lions, while Dyson Stevens also had an impact.
Kevin Klix was dangerous in attack for the Lions with four goals, while Byrnes, Stewart and Jase Perkins snared three goals apiece.
It was a much-needed win for Deer Park, which moved up to fourth on the ladder, still two games behind equal ladder leaders Altona and Werribee Districts.
For Sunshine, it could be time to hit the panic button.
The Kangaroos are not just losing matches – they are losing by hefty margins.
Jesse Hemmens was Sunshine’s lone multiple goalkicker with three, while Ben Dessent, Lachlan Hutchesson and Chris Atkins performed well on a tough day.
Deer Park can look ahead to face struggling Albion at JR Parsons Reserve on Saturday, while the task does not get any easier for Sunshine, which will host Spotswood.
Albion suffered a heavy 129-point loss to Altona at Grant Reserve. The Cats had no answer for Altona forward Patrick Rose, who kicked eight goals.
St Albans dominated in the first half of a 21-point win over Wyndhamvale at Wyndhamvale South Oval.
The Saints led by 32 points at half-time and the result was never in doubt, despite the Falcons finishing strongly. The mid-table Saints will square off with early pacesetter Altona at Kings Park Reserve on Saturday.
Caroline Springs fell short by four points against Werribee Districts at Soldiers Reserve, despite a starring role of six goals from boom recruit Josh Mellington.
Since being stripped of four premiership points in round one, the Lakers have lost three matches to remain in the bottom two.
The Lakers will face the other winless side, Wyndhamvale, in a must-win game at the Town Centre Oval on Saturday.
In division 2, Albanvale went down on home soil in a 39-point loss to Newport Power at Robert Bruce Oval. Darren Borg and Jarryd Formosa snared two goals apiece for the Cobras, while the consistent Bobby Saric was named best for the losing side.
In division 3, North Sunshine was no match for the Wyndham Suns, beaten by a massive 70 points at Dempster Park.
Sunshine Heights also had a day to forget, losing by 47 points to Point Cook Centrals at Ainsworth Reserve.
