Deer Park causes huge grand final boilover with upset win over unbeaten Bendigo Thunder

DEER Park conjured an almighty grand final upset in the VWFL Premier Division grand final on Sunday, stunning unbeaten Bendigo Thunder.

Deer Park players celebrate their upset win over Bendigo. Picture: Quinn Rooney.

DEER Park conjured an almighty grand final upset in the Victorian Women’s Football League Premier Division grand final on Sunday, stunning unbeaten Bendigo Thunder.

The Lions finished fourth at the end of the home-and-away season with a 7-8 record, eight matches behind minor premier Bendigo on the ladder.

But as the club’s senior team has done so often in recent years, Deer Park produced the goods in finals.

The Lions ousted Port Melbourne Colts by 22 points in an elimination final, defeated Melbourne Uni by 18 points in a preliminary final and shocked Bendigo in the decider by 13 points at Coburg City Oval.

Deer Park jumped out to an early lead, claiming a 14-point quarter-time advantage.

The Thunder had to draw on all their reserves to stay in touch as they fought to complete a perfect season.

But try as they might, Deer Park held Bendigo at bay.

The margin was still eight points heading into the final quarter.

The Lions’ midfield was dominant in the last 20 minutes, however the Thunder’s defence withstood a barrage of pressure to keep their flag dream alive.

That was until Amy Catterall delivered the knockout blow with two minutes on the clock.

The forward won a freekick and calmly slotted a goal which sent a boisterous Deer Park crowd into raptures.

Brooke McKinley was named best afield after a starring role in the 6.7 (43) to 4.6 (30) triumph.

Belinda Hateley and Shannon McFerran also played pivotal roles for the premiers.