WRFL 2018: Deer Park claims sixth consecutive Division 1 premiership
A WESTERN suburbs powerhouse, coached by former Essendon player Marc Bullen, is partying hard after powering to its sixth straight Division 1 premiership.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
IN NOVEMBER 2012 Deer Park issued a notice of warning to its rivals when the fruits of its aggressive recruiting raid were unveiled.
The Lions had big ambitions after appointing former Essendon player Marc Bullen as coach, but the club’s efforts to compete with the Western Region Football League’s elite was met with immediate scepticism.
Questions were raised over how much Deer Park was spending and if it was sustainable.
The Lions have waved goodbye to quality players each off-season before swiftly reloading.
On Saturday, the Division 1 powerhouse claimed its sixth consecutive premiership with a 48-point grand final victory over Hoppers Crossing at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval.
Deer Park again showcased its brilliance on the big stage in another emphatic response to the doubters.
To put the achievement in context, VAFA outfit Old Xaverians (1995-2000) is the only other club in metropolitan Melbourne to win six flags in a row in a top-flight competition.
“When I took on the job in 2013, I certainly didn’t expect in my wildest dreams that I’d be able to lift the premiership cup in the succeeding six years, that’s for sure,” Bullen said.
“Certainly proud of the club’s achievements, the players and the support staff that have got everyone to that moment I suppose.
“I’d take a tiny bit of credit for what I’ve been able to implement with my program I suppose.
“It was tough early and I think we just kept grinding and grinding. Our class just came to the fore.”
Star big man Chris Stewart, who was awarded the Herb Pascarl Medal for best afield, and gun forward Kwame McHarg have been members of all six premiership teams.
Deer Park led by 12 points at the main break in the decider before blowing Hoppers away in the second half to score a 12.17 (89) to 6.5 (41) victory.
Jason Kennedy, Shannon Byrnes and skipper Jack Purton-Smith were standouts, while James Wong booted four goals.
Kennedy, Byrnes and James Condos have announced their retirements after decorated careers.
“We’re certainly challenged with our limited junior program,” Bullen said.
“We’ve been able to network very well for six years.
“Most of our guys, other than Kwame and Chris who played in their sixth premiership, are in and around that three, four, five premiership mark and that just goes to show that we’re able to build a pretty good program that guys want to be involved in.”
Bullen was full of praise for Stewart, who he rates one of the best players in the suburban ranks.
Stewart is a nine-time premiership player at senior level, having been a part of flag-winning sides with Maribyrnong Park (2009 and 2010) and North Heidelberg (2005).
“He’s just such a good player,” Bullen said.
“He’s an enormous player at the right moment. He just does the right thing.
“In the second quarter when we were kicking against the wind and Hoppers had great opportunity to try and score against us, we put him forward and he just took two or three clutch marks, park marks, where he shouldn’t have marked the ball and did.
“He’s just a super player. I’ve never seen a player have such an impact at suburban level.”
Bullen said he would discuss his future with president Mark McGoldrick in coming days.
“All indications are pointing to going again,” he said.
“I’d be mad to jump off a pretty good side in Deer Park.
“My kids are getting a little bit older with Saturday sport and things like that, but while I still love it and still have a passion for it, I suppose she (his wife) is going to keep supporting me.”
Dual flag Cat, ex-Pies livewire light up local footy carnival
A two-time premiership Cat and a ex-Collingwood favourite were in action as players from across the state locked horns in a First Nations sports carnival.
‘Going for some elite talent’: AFL utility joins Castlemaine
Castlemaine has already signed two star recruits, including a former GWS Giant, but coach Michael Hartley feels he is “talking to most of Victoria” to add more names.