EFL 2018: Dillon Viojo-Rainbow set to line up for Doncaster East in the Division 2 grand final

DONCASTER East’s Division 2 premiership hopes will be boosted by the addition of a third former Carlton player to its grand final side.

DONCASTER East’s Division 2 premiership hopes will be boosted by the addition of a third former Carlton player to its grand final side.

Dashing Port Melbourne defender Dillion Viojo-Rainbow returned to the Lions line-up in the Round 18 clash against Mitcham.

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He was already qualified for Eastern Football League finals after playing three games in the second half of the season in his comeback from an ankle injury.

Dillon Viojo-Rainbow in action for Northern Blues. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano

But the 22-year-old returned to Zerbes Reserve from the VFL for the final home and away game of the season after being dropped from Port Melbourne.

He was a valuable member of the Borough’s premiership team last year, collecting 17 disposals and kicking a goal in the grand final win.

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Viojo-Rainbow was also mentioned in the best players nine times from 22 games in 2017, but fell out of favour in 2018.

He lined up in the semi-final win over Upper Ferntree Gully and Doncaster East coach Steve Buckle confirmed Viojo-Rainbow would play in the decider on September 15.

Helping the Lions’ cause of keeping Viojo-Rainbow was that Port Melbourne was knocked out of the VFL premiership race by Box Hill in the first week of finals.

Dillon Viojo-Rainbow in his time at Western Jets. Picture: David Smith

“With Port going out, losing the final (on Saturday), it looks like we’ll keep him,” Buckle said.

“We planned everything obviously without him and then we got a surprise when he called us before the Mitcham game.

“His ball use is second to none, he makes really good decisions, he’s got really good speed and just kicks the ball really well.”

Viojo-Rainbow will join former Carlton teammates Brock McLean and Simon White in the grand final side as the Lions look to secure their third premiership in club history.

He was the Blues’ second pick in the 2014 draft, taken at selection No.28 from Western Jets but he was delisted at the end of 2016 without playing a senior game.

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