In the 85-year history of the Western Region Football League, no side has ever won four division 1 premierships in a row … that could change this year.
After emphatically winning its third successive premiership last year, Deer Park’s shot at history starts now.
While they’re viewed as the raging flag favourites externally, internally Lions’ head coach Marc Bullen knows his squad will be challenged plenty of times throughout the year.
“Everyone knows we are trying to win four premierships in a row, something no one has done before,” he said. “There are always sides that are trying to knock us off.
“I think Hoppers Crossing will improve again … Werribee went into the grand final undermanned and they will definitely improve, with [Paul] Chapman taking over as head coach and some key players returning. I believe they will be a 10-12 goal better side this year.”
The Lions have made all the right moves in the off-season to ensure they have the chance of pulling off what would be an amazing feat.
Deer Park was the talk of the local football community when it signed two-time AFL Coleman medallist Brendan Fevola to its squad in September.
Fevola will form a scary duo with fellow forward recruit Jase Perkins, who has crossed to the club from Port Melbourne.
Also joining Deer Park is two-time Geelong premiership player Shannon Byrnes. A small forward and midfielder, Byrnes was the perfect pick-up for the club, Bullen said.
“Shannon is one of the best success stories of the last 10 to 12 years,” Bullen said. “He came off a rookie list and played in one of the most dominant premiership sides of the modern era. Not only that, but he has a development role down at Melbourne at the moment … he is the sort of guy who is in demand at AFL clubs.
“His commitment has been fantastic so far. He missed one or two sessions because of an eye operation but, other than that, he has been at every session and is leading the way.”
Other recruits to join the Lions include Heidelberg premiership player Jason Kennedy, Aberfeldie’s Adam El Houli and St Kilda City’s Tim Sullivan. From last year’s premiership team James Wong, Shannon Broadbent and James Condos are not returning.
In the lead-up to round one, Deer Park will take on Northern Football League side Montmorency for a practice game before opening the season with an away match against Sunshine.
The club’s round two home game against Hoppers Crossing will be the unfurling of last year’s premiership flag and will also be the debut match for Fevola.
