Deer Park produce thumping victory over Hillside

Deer Park has fired its biggest warning to the EDFL with a thumping over a finals rival as huge headaches loom for the Lions.

It’s the type of score, EDFL followers thought they’d see more of when Deer Park arrived in the EDFL.

A 23.23 (161) to 5.4 (34) thumping of fellow finals bound Hillside has suggested the Lions are peaking at the right time of the Division 1 season.

Coach Heath Scotland put it down to everything starting to come together.

“We’ve been building in the last few weeks,” he said.

“It’s been a year of learning for everyone, new players, a new coach, a new game plan. The buy in from the group has been fantastic and I was really happy on the weekend with how it all came together.

“Earlier in the season, the side flipped around a lot but we’ve had more of a settled side recently. It’s given us consistency with a core of about 15 or 16 guys.

“Our brand was really high energy on Saturday with that allowing us to turn the ball over in the front half and create scoring opportunities from that.”

Nick Aleksovski of Deer Park. Picture: George Sal

Michael Edwards was named best afield for the Lions in a performance which included a goal.

Scott Greenhough continued his impressive form in the ruck with three goals while Tom Mundy, Billy Cannolo, Nick Aleksovski and Tim Quick also won plaudits.

Lachlan Smart impressed in front of goal with five majors.

Scotland admits he could be faced with several selection headaches in coming weeks with several players currently unavailable.

Those include VFL pair Luke Goater and Nash Holmes.

Meanwhile senior regulars Rodney Van Riet and Todd Elton also missed the weekend’s game.

Given the Lions played at the maximum 46 player points against Hillside, selection is going to be tough.

“Unfortunately some good players could miss out,” Scotland said.

“But the competition for spots is creating a lot of energy among the group.”

Deer Park coach Heath Scotland Picture: George Sal

This weekend’s clash against Rupertswood looms as somewhat of a free hit for Deer Park given the two sides will meet in the qualifying final just a week later.

Both sides have already guaranteed their double chance.

“I don’t want to flirt with the way we’ve been playing,” Scotland said.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge because they got the better of us last time we played them. The game against Hillside, now Rupertswood has given us a great preparation for finals.”

Hillside will face St Albans, the side it will face in the first week of finals, to close out the home-and-away season.