Ex-AFL full forward Brendan Fevola nails four goals as Deer Park claims fourth consecutive WRFL flag
Brendan Fevola wowed a bumper crowd at Whitten Oval on Sunday as Deer Park powered to premiership glory.
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FORMER AFL spearhead Brendan Fevola has revealed he took to the field for Deer Park in Sunday’s Western Region Football League grand final with a broken sternum.
Fevola contributed four majors as the Lions achieved a history-making premiership at Whitten Oval.
The 35-year-old, who bagged 623 goals from 204 appearances during a decorated career at the top level, suffered the injury against Altona on July 23 and returned for the decider.
“I had a scan yesterday (Saturday) and it’s still broken,” Fevola said.
“It’s actually really sore, but adrenaline got me through.
“Sometimes when you put your arm up, it doesn’t go up as high as it should be.”
Fevola sent the Lions on their way with the first goal of the Division 1 season finale against Hoppers Crossing.
He had to wait until late in the third term to add to his tally, with Warriors defender Jackson Viola performing admirably against the ex-Carlton and Brisbane Lions full forward.
Fevola booted two goals in the third term, with Deer Park running amok against a hapless Hoppers Crossing.
He put his fourth on the board early in the last and celebrated by delivering high-fives to teammates and the club runner as the Lions moved into party mode. Fevola had a chance to add a fifth after the final siren but his shot fell short.
The competition’s star attraction was also on the receiving end of plenty of cheers from the bumper crowd which assembled for the league’s showpiece match.
“The thing about our footy club is you’re all best mates,” Fevola said.
“You see it when we all went up and got our medals, we had our kids there. It’s a real family club. It was special.
“To win four in a row, which has never happened, it’s good to be a part of it.
“That’s the third one I’ve ever won, so they’re pretty special – whether you’re playing for Nar Nar Goon seconds, Deer Park or in the AFL.
“Everyone feels the same driving in. I was that nervous this morning.
“I’m just glad we got out there and played some really good footy.”
Fevola has made one-off appearances for several suburban clubs in recent years and joined Deer Park at the start of this season.
He finished the 2016 campaign with 50 goals from 11 games.
Deer Park became the first club to secure four consecutive top-flight flags with a thumping 114-point win over Hoppers Crossing, which is coached by former Western Bulldogs defender Steve Kretiuk.
Marc Bullen steered the all-conquering Lions to the ultimate prize, while Shannon Byrnes and Ryan Houlihan were also part of the premiership-winning side.
Fevola and Houlihan are close friends and former Carlton teammates.
“The main reason I came over (to Deer Park) was to play with Hoops and I got to play in a grand final with him for once. He was a groomsman at my wedding,” Fevola said.
“Just the people, all the trainers, they’re just really good people. That’s what makes it so special.”
Fevola also praised the efforts of up-and-coming defender Viola.
“He’s a good young player and I was actually trying to get him to Deer Park when I was standing next to him,” Fevola said with a laugh.
“He uses his body really well and he’s a great kid.”
Fevola hinted the premiership victory might mark the end of his on-field journey.
“I trained really well for the last four weeks and I was really fit, but once you get out there and play a match, geez it’s so different,” he said.
“The legs are a bit heavy, but I’ll have a think about it over the summer.”
Bullen, who notched 44 AFL games during a five-year stint at Essendon, said Fevola had made a significant impact at the powerhouse club.
“His promotion of the club in the last six weeks was outstanding,” Bullen said.
“Early doors, obviously we didn’t get the access we wanted to him, purely because he was so committed with his other interests.
“His last six weeks at training, when he’s been injured, to get him back to the stage to come back and play in a grand final today was first class.
“I think he kicked three or four goals, but it was his chases that you saw on the boundary line here that really inspire us.”
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