By PEPPE CAVALIERI - Division 1 Seniors
IF there was any doubt Deer Park could claim its fifth straight division one flag in the Western Region Football League, then those thoughts were dispelled on Saturday, as the Lions annihilated Spotswood by 76-points at home.
In an imposing display, big men Jase Perkins, six goals, and Chris Stewart were superb, as Deer Park used a nine-goal-to-one opening half to effectively kill the contest.
The victory puts the Lions one game clear atop the Division 1 ladder, as the rest of the top five starts to take shape.
Hoppers Crossing stays alone in third spot on the ladder thanks to a 50-point drubbing of Altona.
In doing so, the Warriors condemned the Vikings to sixth spot on the table, now two games behind fifth placed Werribee Districts.
The two Jordans – Staley and Mead – kicked six goals between them up forward for Hoppers Crossing as Daniel Nielson impressed, as Altona looks for ways to get back into finals calculations.
Sunshine and Werribee Districts strengthened their positions inside the top five with convincing wins against Albion and St Albans respectively.
Another powerful display by the Kangaroos – 39 scoring shots – allowed them to overcome a slow start against the Cats.
A nine-goal to zero second quarter and a six-goal haul by livewire Daniel Castellano set up the win.
St Albans – fresh off a loss to the Tigers – now finds itself clinging to eighth spot, only a game ahead of Caroline Springs and Wyndhamvale.
The Lakers created some club history on Saturday, winning their maiden Division 1 match in the WRFL.
Youngsters at the club again led the way, with Will Markovski booting four goals, Jack Tarr and Lewis Tudor all contributing. Keenan O’Shea was the Lakers’ best.
The triumph keeps Caroline Springs’ hopes of a second season in the top tier alive, while the fight to avoid relegation is now a legitimate conversation concerning three clubs.
The Lakers take on St Albans in round 12, and are certainly a sneaky chance.
A loss for the Saints would almost certainly see them fall to ninth.
Meanwhile Albion will need to conjure something spectacular to rattle Deer Park, while Altona’s finals hopes could be on the line against Spotswood.
The Vikings September chances could all but rest on the result of Hoppers Crossing and Werribee Districts, who are vying for top-three positions.
Sunshine travels to Wyndhamvale and will see it as a chance get back in the top three.
Remarkably, should the Tigers and Kangaroos win, the Vikings would be three games outside the top five.
HOPPERS CROSSING CLICK INTO GEAR
By CONNOR PAIN - Division 1 Reserves
HOPPERS Crossing knocked off Altona and sits in second place following its 52-point win against the Vikings.
The Warriors were the stronger team all day, its defence in particular stifling Altona who kicked just one goal in the first half.
Hoppers Crossing maintained its scoreboard pressure in the second half, helping the reigning premiers run out 14.12. (96) to 6.8. (44) victors.
The Warriors face local rivals the Werribee Districts this week.
Despite the loss, Altona still sit two games ahead of fourth-placed Deer Park on the ladder. Round 12 will see the Vikings host Spotswood.
St. Albans earnt its third win of the year, coming from behind at half time to win 10.11(71) to 8.4(52) against the Werribee Districts.
The Districts looked to be on top in the first half, as they led by nine points, but they were unable to hold onto their lead as the Saints kicked five goals to one in the third term, flipping the game on its head and putting St. Albans in the box seat to win the match.
Both sides booted two goals in the fourth, seeing the home side win by 19-points.
A win against Caroline Springs this week, and other results going their way, would see the Saints jump to just one game outside of a finals position.
Despite an early scare, Sunshine maintained its position on top of the ladder following its 31-point win against Albion.
The Cats jumped out of the blocks in the first quarter, booting five goals to two to stun the ladder-leaders. The Kangaroos switched it on in the second, kicking four goals and holding Albion to just one behind.
Albion kept itself in the game after the restart, however the strength of Sunshine was too much as they put the game away in the final term, running out 12.9. (81) to 7.8. (50) winners.
Sunshine will travel to Wyndhamvale this week.
Troy Manolis and Aaron King booted five goals each to help Caroline Springs dominate Wyndhamvale, winning 21.14. (140) to 2.5. (17).
The game started slowly for the Lakers, however once they hit their straps there was no stopping them, as the held the Falcons goalless in the first and third terms.
Jye King’s nine goals led Deer Park obliterate Spotswood, 22.22. (154) to 2.2. (14).
The massive win sees the Lions sitting comfortable in fourth place ahead of its battle with Albion.
Last Modified on 03/07/2017 11:58