WRFL 2019: Deer Park signs Ben Davies and Michael James

Deer Park’s bid for a seventh consecutive WRFL Division 1 premiership has received a boost, with the Lions securing two big mid-season signings.

Deer Park recruit Ben Davies during his days at Avondale Heights. Picture:Angie Basdekis

Deer Park’s pursuit of a record seventh consecutive WRFL Division 1 premiership has received a mid-season boost with experienced pair Ben Davies and Michael James joining the powerhouse.

Ex-Collingwood and North Melbourne player Davies can can fill a role in the midfield or across half-back and was a member of Shepparton Bears’ premiership side in the Goulburn Valley league last year.

He also enjoyed a decorated VFL career with Williamstown, where he is a life member.

He has also represented Avondale Heights, Wodonga Raiders and Wangaratta Magpies in recent years.

Utility James, who retired after last season, is a dual premiership player with EDFL Premier Division side Keilor.

The versatile Michael James in action for for Keilor. Picture: David Smith

“We’ve been dealing with those two guys for the last 24 months,” Deer Park coach Marc Bullen said.

“Ben Davies is James Wong’s cousin, so we spoke with him at the start of the year, and tried to get him to come across, but he was sort of in retirement mode.

“He ended up playing some footy over the last month up in Shepparton. We took note of that and put the feelers out again to see if he was happy doing the travel up there, and he wasn’t. It really came down to a travel factor.

“Michael James was retired. We spoke to him last year and he stayed at Keilor.

“He’s good, close friends with our president’s (Mark McGoldrick) brother. We put a few feelers out to see if he was interested in coming across from a leadership on-field point of view. He can play in most positions on the ground.”

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Bullen said he was unsure if the recruits would feature against Sunshine this weekend.

The Lions have had their fair share of injuries in 2019, with captain Jack Purton-Smith (three games) and Chris Stewart (four) among those who have been sidelined.

Jake McKenzie is set to make his second senior appearance of the year on Saturday, while Shannon Byrnes and Shaun Harrison have also been absent for periods.

Class forward Wong has also only played one game, but Bullen is expecting to see a lot more of him in the second half of the year after Davies’ arrival.

“I’m sure they’d both like to play in a premiership together,” Bullen said.

“Experience is very important, especially when you’re heading into a finals series and after three losses in the first half of the season.

“We’ve had more injuries in the first half of the year than what we’ve had in a long period of time.”

The Lions sit fourth on the ladder with a 7-3 record but are only one game astern of pacesetters Altona, Spotswood and Werribee Districts.

Fifth-ranked St Albans also has seven wins, while last year’s runner-up Hoppers Crossing is sixth at 6-4.

Deer Park is looking to create history by becoming the only club in metropolitan Melbourne to win seven flags in a row in a top-flight competition.

“The challenge for our group is to continue to improve,” Bullen said.

“We’ve got a big challenge this year, there’s no doubt.

“St Albans have jumped up and the top six can beat anyone on any given day at the moment.

“We’re looking forward to digging our feet in and training hard over the next 12 weeks to hopefully get back in the big dance again.”

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