By CONNOR PAIN - Under-19 Division 1
DEER Park’s giant killing run has continued, with the Lions winning their way through to the Division 1 Reserves Grand Final.
Deer Park’s impressive throughout the finals now means they will go head-to-head with Hoppers Crossing on Sunday.
The final score of the Preliminary Final was 17.15. (117) to 10.8. (68).
The Lions third win of the finals season was arguably its best yet, as it comfortably downed the Vikings, who finished the regular season second on the ladder.
The game was set for a blowout after just one quarter as Deer Park dominated offensively and defensively, kicking four goals and holding the Vikings to just one solitary behind.
Showing why they finished second and were in a preliminary final, Altona hit back in the second term with five goals (to Deer Park’s three) and reduced the margin to 13-points heading into the main break.
The third quarter highlighted just how real the Lions hunt for a premiership is as they dominated, booting six goals to two and extending its lead to an unassailable 42-points.
The fourth quarter was much of the same for Deer Park as they added another four goals in what was their best performance of the season and finals so far.
Daniel Cooper’s four goals led the way for the Lions, who had nine individual goal scorers.
The 49-point victory sets the grand final as Hoppers Crossing, who finished the season on top of ladder, versus Deer Park, who finished fifth.
As they entered the prelim, the Lions will be the underdogs with the Warriors the favourites, but as has been shown throughout this finals campaign, anything is possible.
Deer Park’s run has been historic, as no side since at least 2011 (as far as the online statics date back) has finished fifth and made the grand final.
If the Lions are able to win, it will also mark the first time since 2011, where Sunshine upset Hoppers, that a team who didn’t finish the season first didn’t win the premiership.
Sunday’s Grand Final should be a cracker with the stakes clear for each.
Hoppers Crossing are looking for their second consecutive premiership while Deer Park are searching for a historic Grand Final win.
Last Modified on 05/09/2016 17:14