Deer Park thumps West Coburg in EDFL Division 1 grand final

Deer Park has claimed its first EDFL premiership and eighth flag in the last completed nine seasons. Coach Heath Scotland gives an insight how they built towards the triumph.

It’s the outcome many expected when they moved into the EDFL.

Deer Park finishing the 2023 season as premiers.

The Lions powered to the Division 1 premiership with a 21.14 (140) to 6.8 (44) thumping of West Coburg at a sunny Windy Hill on Saturday afternoon.

While the game appeared to be in the balance at half-time with Deer Park leading by 23 points, what followed in the second half was an onslaught.

Deer Park booted five goals to two in the third term before the flood gates opened in the final 30 minutes with 11 goals from the Lions.

The first half was marred by an ugly hit from West Coburg’s Jordan Gloury who was given a red card, although under EDFL rules a player can be replaced if they’re sent off.

Deer Park’s Mark Nicholls. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Lions defender Tim Quick also spent some time off the ground either side of half-time after the incident.

Deer Park coach Heath Scotland said the difference for his side after the main break was having taken a deep breath.

“We just needed to stay composed and controlled.

“We knew they would throw something different, physicality or the aggression, which they tried. It probably unnerved our blokes a little early.

“But we came in at half-time and collected ourselves.”

VFL listed midfielder Nash Holmes was awarded the best on ground emdal for an impressive display with Bailey Morrish and Lachie Smart also impressing at either end of the ground.

Tom Mundy glided up and down the outer wing while Scott Greenhough controlled proceedings in the ruck.

It was those sorts of names that had many suggesting Deer Park would win the flag in a canter this year.

West Coburg had finished the home-and-away season undefeated until the Lions romped to an eighth flag in their last nine completed seasons.

Deer Park celebrates its flag. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“To be honest, and I don’t mean this to sound arrogant or disrespectful to anybody, we knew that was there with us,” he said when asked if there was a target on his side’s back before a game had been played.

“New coach, new competition, a whole new playing list, it took a bit of time to build. We didn’t really settle with our best side for most of the year.

“We knew every team rose to play us during the year. For us it was getting our runs on the board and building our system.

“We were confident, come the pointy end of the season, our game style stands up.

“I was just pleased for the boys how they were executed. But I’m also disappointed for those extremely unlucky guys who helped us get here but couldn’t get into the side.”

The 96-point thumping also represented a changing of the guard in the Lions history books.

Deer Park’s Luke Scicchitano celebrates a goal. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Only six players remained from the 2019 WRFL Division 1 premiership.

“Those guys brought a calmness to the group,” Scotland said.

“Grand finals we know what’s at stake, but those guys were just able to keep the energy around the group relaxed.

“There was 16 new players playing in their first flag at Deer Park.

“Since the season has come along we’ve just got better and better.

“I’m really proud of these guys.”

DEER PARK

Goalkickers: L. Goater 6, T. Elton 4, S. Greenhough 2, L. Smart 2, J. Dorgan, L. Scicchitano, J. McKenzie, W. Lees, N. Aleksovski, S. Nahyna, L. Greenwood

Best: N. Holmes, B. Morrish, L. Smart, T. Mundy, S. Greenhough, K. Bol

WEST COBURG

Goalkickers: I. Taha 2, D. Galofaro, J. Martini, P. Martin, E. Rinaudo

Best: E. Rinaudo, R. Cleary, D. Dean Spagnolo, N. Weihrauch, P. McCallum, D. Lucas