Deer Park looks all but certain to go through the Western Region Football League season undefeated after safely getting over its final tough test on Saturday.
The Lions defeated Spotswood by 21 points at McLean Reserve to remain on top of the division 1 ladder with 14 wins for the year.
It may have been a rematch of last year’s grand final, but it played out more like a replay of when the sides last met in round five.
Deer Park again blew the match open early, kicking six goals in the first term to hold a 31-point advantage.
The teams were relatively even for the rest of the contest and set about trading goals. But as far as securing the four points went, the damage was well and truly done. Deer Park held on for the 17.13 (115) to 14.10 (94) win.
Fresh from a near-best-on-ground performance for Vic Metro in last week’s state game, Kwame McHarg wasted no time fitting back into the Lions side, kicking four goals.
Deer Park’s goalkicking duo of James Wong and James Condos combined for six goals, while Jackson Barling was impressive on the backline. For the Woodsmen, David Iaccarino continued his outstanding year, with the former Western Jet named his side’s best player.
Deer Park will look to keep its winning run going this week when it takes on Port Melbourne.
In other round 14 results, St Albans remains within striking distance of the top three after a 70-point win against Hoppers Crossing.
The Saints were outstanding from start to finish and had six multiple goalkickers.
That group was led by Matt Quigley, who finished with five in the 21.8 (134) to 9.10 (64) win.
St Albans is now one game behind third- placed Spotswood and two clear of fifth-placed Hoppers Crossing.
The Saints’ win keeps the door slightly open for Sunshine, which beat Port Melbourne, 15.10 (106) to 13.16 (94).
The Kangaroos are two games behind Hoppers Crossing and need the Warriors to drop most of their games in the final four rounds.
