By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS
AHEAD of Sunday's Division 1 Grand Final, see what the Seniors, Reserves and Under-19 coaches have to say before the premiership decider.
Division 1 Seniors Grand Final - Deer Park v Hoppers Crossing - Whitten Oval, Footscray - 2.20pm
BULLEN SAYS FLAG WOULD BE ICING ON THE CAKE
IF Deer Park can defeat Hoppers Crossing on Sunday it would have done what no other senior team in the WRFL/FDFL history has done, win four premierships in a row.
The Lions have won the past three flags and are poised to add a fourth premiership cup to their growing trophy cabinet.
Deer Park’s Reserves and Under-19 teams are also in the Grand Final, adding another special element to Sunday’s decider.
Seniors coach Marc Bullen said the preparation for this Grand Final felt different to previous years as all three teams were playing off for premierships.
“(The club) is a great place to be at the moment,” he said.
“The Seniors, Reserves and Under-19’s have all made it through to the Grand Final.
“It is an excellent reward for the amount of time and effort both Pat Christofi and Andrew Bryson have put into their respective teams.”
Bullen said Deer Park has gone through highs and lows like any other club would over the years, but says he is proud of everything the club has been able to achieve.
He said if the Senior side were the ones to hold up the premiership cup at the end of the day, it would be a pretty special feeling.
“Every Grand Final victory has its special memories which you can reflect on, however this one will certainly be the icing on the cake,” Bullen said.
“Our club has had its fair share of ups and downs and this one is for all the people who have supported us through the good and bad times.”
Their form on the field has been first class, since their Round 7 Bye, the club has won 11 straight matches.
“Overall our season has been veRy good, the competition as a whole has improved which is great,” Bullen said.
“Our second half of the season has been outstanding.
“We have managed to play 41 players, which is an excellent effort, this included blooding a couple our home grown players such as Mark Galea and James Harrison.”
Bullen said there was stars across every line for Deer Park who all had the potential to be match winners.
“Kwame McHarg has owned the past three Grand Finals,” he said.
“Jackson Barling returns to the big stage aiming for his third medal, Jack Purton-Smith returns to the side fresh from a week off, Scott Greenhough has taken his game to another level, Shannon Byrnes, Ryan Houlihan and Brendan Fevola are all big game players.
“If anyone can take the BOG medal off Kwame it will be Rodney Van Reit.”
One of the club’s biggest recruits has been former AFL champion Brendan Fevola. He is expected to line-up in the Grand Final after spending several weeks on the sidelines battling a sternum injury.
Bullen described the larger than life character as an exceptional player and person.
“He has embraced the club and they players love playing and training with him,” he said.
“Fev's contribution and promotion of the club has been outstanding, a premiership medal and a bag of snags will cap of a fairly successful year for the King of the jungle winner.”
Bullen wanted to thank the entire crew at Deer Park for their ongoing support and guidance throughout 2016.
“On behalf of the players I would like to thank everyone that has contributed to our success so far, coaches, trainers, footy managers, support staff, committee, sponsors and anyone else that wears the blue and gold,” he said.
“We thank you and look forward to your support as we try to create history for this great club.”
YOUNG GUNS KNOW THE WARRIORS WAY
HOPPERS Crossing survived a spirited Altona comeback in last week’s preliminary final to book a spot in the Division 1 Grand Final.
The Warriors came out firing at the weekend and were able hold off the Viking’s attack, setting up a premiership decider with Deer Park.
Led by coach Steve Kretiuk, the team from Hogans Road Reserve has continued to rise up the Division 1 ranks in recent years.
When Kretiuk first took over the coaching reins in 2014, he led the team to a semi-final, last season they reached the preliminary final and now they have earned a Grand Final berth.
Captained by Mathew Ryan and the 2015 Barry Priest medal winner Wayde Skipper and WRFL Interleague representative Reece Miles, the Warriors have been able to put together an impressive season, losing just three games during the home and away fixture.
There younger players have also played a huge role in getting the team into a Grand Final, talented players Braden Ferrari, Jordan Mead, Murphy Watt and Ben Fletcher have all had good seasons and will be players to watch on Sunday.
They will all be put to the test on Sunday when they take on the might of Deer Park at VU Whitten Oval.
The Lions have defeated the Warriors in the three occasions they have met this season, however, if previous Grand Finals are anything to go by, anything can happen.
Hoppers Crossing will back themselves in and give 100 per cent.
Division 1 Reserves Grand Final - Hoppers Crossing v Deer Park - Whitten Oval, Footscray - 11.40am
WARRIORS AIMING TO GO BACK-TO-BACK
HOPPERS Crossing’s Reserves side picked up from where they left off in 2016.
After winning the premiership last year, the Warriors have again had an impressive season, finishing on top of the ladder and winning their way through to the premiership decider with an emphatic win over Altona two weeks ago.
Coach David Taylor said if the team prepares well they will have every opportunity to go back-to-back.
“If we happen to win the premiership, it will definitely mean a lot to the group after a long season,” he said.
“To get the ultimate reward would be great.”
Taylor said two players to keep an eye out for is midfielder Danny Strnak and defender Joel Bentley. He says the two players always create opportunities for their teammates whenever they are around the ball.
Overall Taylor described this season as a positive one.
“Our season has been pretty solid, we have a good group of young blokes who are doing everything to improve themselves as footballers,” he said.
“That shows with us having 13-14 blokes that have gone up to play in the seniors at one time or another.”
Finally, Taylor wanted to thank his teams and the many volunteers for their continued support in 2016.
“I would just like to thank my assistants Ash and Nuts, Team Manager Emma and all the support staff at the club. Without these people it would be nearly impossible to get out on the park every week,” he said.
DEER PARK WANT WINNING STREAK TO CONTINUE
WHILE most of the community is focused on the possibility of Deer Park’s seniors creating history, it is their Reserves side, who could also create some history of their own.
The Lions finished fifth after the home and away season and over the first three weeks of finals, have caused quite a stir, defeating Sunshine, Werribee Districts and Altona on the way to the Grand Final.
Coach Andrew Bryson said at the beginning of the year if they were able to retain most of their players they would be a chance of playing finals footy.
“We started well but were inconsistent throughout the season not able to beat the other top teams,” he said.
“In the second half of the year we continued to work hard on improving all aspects of our game but let ourselves down with a poor performances against Altona in Round 15 with our effort and level of commitment questioned by many.
“To the players credit we refocused and developed a strong belief amongst the team which has been reflected in our strong performances since the bye and throughout the finals with all players playing their role.”
Bryson said winning the Reserves flag would be the perfect reward for the club and the best way to thank everyone who has been along for the ride in 2016.
“It is great to have our Under-19’s, Reserves and Seniors all playing in this week’s Grand Finals,” he said.
“We are all a chance to win and to share the day with Pat Christofi and Marc Bullen as well as our supporters who have shared this journey over the years would be truly special.”
Under-19 Division 1 Grand Final - Deer Park v Werribee Districts - Whitten Oval, Footscray, 9.15am
ONE TEAM, ONE DREAM FOR THE LIONS
DEER Park’s Under-19 team understands the heartache that can come on Grand Final day.
The Lions fell short to Spotswood in 2015 and while that loss could have done one of two things, it ultimately fired the group up and 12 months later are fighting it out for the premiership once again.
Coach Pat Christofi said if the team worked hard and played for each other, then their goal of holding up the cup at the end of the game will become a reality.
“I would be over the moon (to win the premiership) firstly because of all the hard work that goes into winning a premiership and understanding how hard and challenging it gets from time to time working with 18-19 year olds,” he said.
“The club would be very proud considering we are striving for greatness at senior level and having our under 19s win would be a successful and well accomplished year.”
Christofi wanted to thank not only the players, but the team behind the team, that do the jobs that need to be done without hesitation.
“Firstly to the playing group, I thank you for another enjoyable season and appreciate you all very much for all the hard work, sweat and tears you all put in to get us into another Grand Final.
“Secondly a special thank you to my assistant coaches being, Scott Thomson and Steven Kolyniuk.
“A big thanks to my runner Robert Axiak, my board man Peter Christofi, my stats man Pat Testa who does the toughest job of us all.
I would also like to thank my team manager Simone Schembri for a job well done. Last but not least a special thanks to Domenic Nesci, John Phillips and John Rimes (Santa), this could not have been achieved without all your help.”
TIGERS SET SIGHTS ON PREMIERSHIP
WERRIBEE Districts Under-19 coach Darron Batties and his team set a goal in November to be as competitive as they could be in 2016.
Then at the halfway mark of the season, as a group they reassessed their goals, as finals were in sight and they were a real chance to win the flag.
Now, a few months later, the team will play in the Grand Final and are a 50-50 chance of winning the premiership.
“We have really banked our fitness over the last few months in readiness for the big grounds at finals time and hope to use this strength to get us to the big prize,” Batties said.
“One thing is certain with these guys and is that they will not stop running when the heat is on.”
Batties said there were many stars in his team that could flourish on the big stage.
“It would be great to win the flag of course both individually and for the club and it would be great to do it with the loyal under 19 guys who stayed for the club first and foremost,” he said.
“The flag would mean more to these guys than other offerings.”
Batties wanted to thank all the parents for their support this season and made a special mention to Scott May who would be playing if he didn’t succumb to injury.
“To Craig Whiting, Josh Harkins and Digger McMahon a real big thanks to you, we wouldn’t be here if not for you guys.”
Last Modified on 07/09/2016 14:52