WRFL 2018: Deer Park one win away from sixth Division 1 premiership in a row

DEER Park is on the cusp of a remarkable sixth consecutive premiership after securing a direct passage through to the Western Region Football League Division 1 decider.

James Wong helped himself to five goals for Deer Park. Picture: David Smith

DEER Park is on the cusp of a remarkable sixth consecutive premiership after securing a direct passage through to the Western Region Football League Division 1 decider.

The Lions swept aside minor premier Altona by 53 points in Saturday’s major semi-final at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval, blowing away their opponents with seven unanswered goals in a dominant final term.

WRFL 2018: PARKSIDE OUT OF PREMIERSHIP RACE

Deer Park conceded the first four goals of the match before recovering to establish a six-point lead at halftime.

The margin was just nine points at the final change of ends, but the relentless Lions turned a serious battle into a stroll, claiming a 16.12 (108) to 8.7 (55) win.

“We didn’t start well, probably fumbled the ball and their pressure took it up to us and probably put us under a lot of perceived pressure that we hadn’t had for a while,” Deer Park coach Marc Bullen said.

“We had some control through parts of the second and the third, but we gave away too many easy goals.

“I was after a huge effort in the last quarter and the boys again kicked seven to none, which is fantastic.”

Tim Quick limited star Altona forward Patrick Rose to two majors, while Dyson Stevens blanketed Jordan Robbins.

Scott Greenhough was influential in the ruck, while James Wong (five goals), Kwame McHarg (four) and Jase Perkins (three) combined for 12 goals.

“We could’ve been beaten at certain stages, but we dug in. We’ve got class all over the park and everyone’s bought in to the program,” Bullen said.

“It’s going to be a special day in a couple of weeks’ time, but we’ll certainly get a pretty hard game. We’ll make sure we’re prepared for it.”

On the negative side, Jason Williams’ year is over after he sustained a serious knee injury.

The Lions have also had three other players — Paul Bower, Tim Knight and Sohrob Ismail — suffer season-ending injuries in recent weeks.

“It’s disappointing, but that’s footy I suppose,” Bullen said.

“We’ve got great depth and we’ll make sure we pick the right 22 (for the grand final) to get the job done.

“It’s always a tough selection.”

Altona will meet the winner of today’s clash between Hoppers Crossing and Spotswood in the preliminary final.