EFL 2018: Dillon Viojo-Rainbow claims the Gordon Parker/Blue Ribbon Medal in Division 2 grand final
DILLON Viojo-Rainbow made it two premierships in as many years after putting in a sublime performance for Doncaster East in the Division 2 decider.
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PORT Melbourne’s loss was Doncaster East’s gain.
Former Carlton-listed defender Dillon Viojo-Rainbow ended an indifferent season on Saturday with a second premiership medallion in as many years.
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Last year it was in the VFL, in 2018 it was in the Eastern Football League.
Viojo-Rainbow starred in Port Melbourne’s 2017 campaign that culminated in a pulsating grand final win at Etihad Stadium.
But injuries and a loss of form put him on the outer this season.
After quad and ankle setbacks during the year, he was dropped for the final home-and-away round of the VFL season.
Viojo-Rainbow’s omission saw him return to Doncaster East, helping the Lions to their first EFL premiership in 11 years.
The 22-year-old was a unanimous choice as the Gordon Parker/Blue Ribbon medallist for best on ground, delivering a sublime performance with a three-goal haul as Doncaster East hammered Lilydale by 60 points.
“Winning a premiership with Port Melbourne last year, I was on a high after that,” Viojo-Rainbow said just moments after the premiership medal was placed around his neck.
“It was a surreal feeling and coming back here, to be honest I was gutted when I was left out of the finals side against Box Hill, I was absolutely gutted.
“I knew I just had to get on with the job and come back and just do what I could do for the team.
“I couldn’t go out of my way to get the ball as much as I could, just to try get myself back into the side, I just had to play the way the team wanted me to play and I’m happy it’s paid off.”
Viojo-Rainbow hails from Melbourne’s western suburbs but aligned himself with Doncaster East through Borough teammate Damian Mascitti, who played his junior football with the Lions.
“It came towards crunch time when you really needed to sign up with a local club and I didn’t have one,” he said.
“No other clubs approached me to come play local so I came down and it has been a ball.
“As much as you want to keep playing at the higher level, because I’ve got aspirations still to get back in the AFL system, the boys have been brilliant and the club is awesome.”
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