Deer Park has won its first VWFL premiership with an 18-point win over Kew in the Division 3 Grand Final at Shepley Oval.
A three goal to nil first quarter helped set up Deer Park’s premiership win, 5.4 34 to 2.4 16.
Having only missed finals in the first of four seasons in the competition, the Lions were search for their first premiership and did it in style, by controlling the play in all but the final term. By that stage they had built enough of a lead to countdown the clock to victory.
It started with a flurry of goals for Deer Park in the first term with Alex Fato benefiting from a free kick to open the account. Samantha Radlof soon showed why she would be judged best on ground with a roving goal from a ruck tap then provided Steph Comelli with the chance to kick her side out to a 21 point quarter time lead.
While Kew started the second term more committed, with captain Stephanie Dr Bortoli and Carla De Luca lifting their intensity, they were unable convert it on the scoreboard. Deer Park made them pay for missed opportunities as Kat Sivewright received a free and 25 metre penalty directly in front to push the Lions out to a 27 point lead.
While the ball continued to be pushed forward by Kew, the likes of Alyssa Galea, Chloe Portelli and Siaan MacKenzie returned fire at defensive 50 to ensure Deer Park a 25–point half time lead.
Sarah McKenna was winning the ball in the ruck for Kew, but it was the likes of Radlof and Teresa Cassar that would win first use and provide chances for Dee Park. Michelle Turnbull was working hard in defence for Kew, with the Lions unable to add to their half time goal tally. It was not till late that Kira Fitzsimons intercepted a kick in to make the Bears pay, pushing Deer Park out to a match high 32 point lead. De Bortoli goaled soon after – Kew’s first - providing her side a faint glimmer of hope leading into the final term, as they trailed by 26 points.
The final term turned in a tight defensive game, with Deer Park happy to move from stoppage to stoppage as Kew again struggled to convert. Despite the Lions not scoring in the final term, the ability of the back six to restrict Kew when they went forward was the key, with Taylor Mesiti and Ebony Stevens repelling continually.
Mimi Henderson kicked the only goal of the final term for Kew at the 18-minute mark, leaving Deer Park to walk away 18-point winners.
Kew Football Club 0.0 0.2 1.2 2.4 (16)
Deer Park FC 3.3 4.3 5.4 5.4 (34)
GOALS:
Kew Football Club: Henderson, De Bortoli 1
Deer Park FC: Radlof, Fato, Comelli, Fitzsimons, Sivewright 1
BEST:
Deer Park FC: Radlof, Sivewright, Cassar, Mackenzie, Pollard, Portelli
Best on ground: Samantha Radlof - Deer Park
Photo: Arj Giese
Last Modified on 31/08/2015 23:00