IF there was any doubt that Deer Park was the real deal in the Western Region Football League, it was extinguished at John McLeod Oval on Saturday.
The Lions, who missed finals last year on percentage, beat reigning division 1 premiers Altona by 15 points.
And with former Essendon and St Kilda star Andrew Lovett to join the team this weekend, Deer Park has suddenly become a formidable outfit.
Like in previous games, the Lions set up the win with a blistering first half. Deer Park had 15 shots in the first quarter alone, and a 36-point quarter-time lead should have been far greater – but eight sailed either side of the goals.
Another seven goals came in the second quarter as Deer Park established what proved to be an unassailable 65-point lead at the main break. The Lions had 14 goals to five.
The second quarter was much more even. The Vikings responded after a shell-shocked first half, and by three-quarter-time had cut the lead slightly to 58 points.
And like all champion teams they came home hard in the final term. Deer Park struggled to get its hands on the footy as Altona slammed on eight goals to one.
It was a gallant effort but the deficit proved too great for even Altona to overcome, and a high-scoring epic ended with Deer Park taking its fourth straight victory. The Lions remain the only undefeated team, ahead of Sunshine, Altona, Spotswood and Hoppers Crossing with three wins.
Lions coach Marc Bullen said it was a momentous day for his side. “It was a big day for the footy club. Playing last year’s premiers on our home deck we wanted to make a statement,” he said.
“In the first month we’ve been going OK but we knew we had to come out and have a power start today. We really set up the game in the first quarter.
“It’s a big stepping stone and we just need to keep doing the internal things that we’re striving for. Altona are a good side but now we know we can beat anyone on our day.”
Bullen warned that there were still several players to come into the team, saying they had good depth.
In other division 1 results, Albion belted North Footscray by 99 points, Sunshine ran out 70-point victors over Port Colts and St Albans lost to Spotswood by 25 after leading at every change.
