Deer Park is one win away from back-to-back Western Region Football League premierships.
The Lions booked their place in the grand final with a 77-point smashing of Spotswood at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday.
In what was the third meeting between the two teams this season, Deer Park produced a sizzling performance. The Lions had 19 first-half scoring shots to Spotswood’s three and took a 51-point lead into the main break.
There was no letting up in quarters three and four as the Lions ran riot with another nine goals to secure the 18.22 (130)-8.5 (53) win.
Deer Park coach Marc Bullen was impressed with his side’s four-quarter effort.
“I think we’ve been building to that performance since the Altona game three or four weeks ago,” Bullen said.
“We knew six weeks out we would finish on top and that it would be highly likely we would play Spotty or Werribee, so we put a pretty hard training phase in for the last six weeks and it has paid dividends.”
Against Spotswood, Kwame McHarg again showed his liking for the big stage, booting five goals in a best-on-ground performance. Also up forward, Rhett King kicked four goals, while Brent Guerra was another standout.
For Spotswood, Rikki Newton worked hard and finished as his side’s only multiple goal scorer with three majors.
Bullen was full of praise for McHarg.
“He is obviously the best player in this league … I think you would be hard pressed to find a better suburban footballer in Melbourne,” he said. “He can play through the middle, he’s outstanding overhead and when the ball hits the ground, and he just loves kicking goals.”
Deer Park has a week off before the grand final. The Lions will play the winner of next week’s preliminary final between Spotswood and Werribee Districts.
“We will freshen up this week and have a really solid run on the track next Saturday,” Bullen said. “Selection is going to be tough, but that’s just the way it goes.”
Liam Twomey
