Deer Park players proved they have no issues getting their hands dirty with another hard-fought win on Saturday.
The Lions beat a fired-up St Albans 13.9 (87) – 12.80 (80) at Kings Park Reserve.
With both sides expected to be big players come the business end of the division 1 season, the weekend’s encounter lived up to the pre-match hype.
In front of their home fans, the Saints made the ideal start to the contest, booting five first-term goals to take a seven-point lead into quarter-time.
The Lions then lifted their intensity, but StAlbans continued to attack the contest and held on to their advantage for most of the next two quarters.
It wasn’t until the final term that Deer Park was able to grind its way to the top.
Led by Jayke Ewer and Kwame McHarg, Deer Park booted four final-quarter goals to take the lead late in the match.
Also standing up for the Lions were Jack Purton-Smith and Timothy Quick, while Chris Stewart and Marc Bullen booted two goals each.
For St Albans, Anthony Cristofaro produced one of his best performances of the year and finished with four goals.
He was well supported by Lachlan Baddeley, who finished with three majors.
The Lions haven’t lost a match in the WRFL since late in the 2013 season but have now been pushed to the limit twice this month.
As well as Saturday’s tight finish, Deer Park beat Werribee Districts by only four points in round five.
The close wins have allowed the Lions to remain on top of the division 1 ladder, while StAlbans is fifth with a 3-3 record.
The Saints will have the perfect chance to get on the right side of the win/loss ledger when they take on competition strugglers Albion at Kings Park Reserve.
Deer Park will host Port Melbourne Colts at John McLeod Oval.
