WRFL 2019: Hoppers Crossing destroys Deer Park in second half

Steve Kretiuk’s Hoppers Crossing delivered a dominant performance after half-time to topple powerhouse Deer Park and stay alive in the finals race.

Liam McMahon played a key role in Hoppers Crossing’s WRFL win. Picture: Local Legends Photography

Hoppers Crossing produced a scintillating second half to take down six-time reigning premier Deer Park on Saturday and keep pace with the competition’s top five.

While the 9-5 Warriors remained in sixth position despite the victory, they are equal on points with the Lions and St Albans, while Spotswood (second) and Werribee Districts (third) are only one game clear.

Hoppers Crossing trailed by 19 points at the main break before piling on 11 goals to two after half-time to secure a 34-point home victory, 14.7 (91) to 9.3 (57).

Warriors coach Steve Kretiuk said the adjustments his team made at the interval paid dividends.

“We restructured our forward line a bit to create a bit more space,” he said.

“When the ball hit the ground, we had young Cassius White, Danny Strnak, Riley Kitchen and Jordan Cook, (who provide) really good speed over the ground.

“When the ball hit the ground in our forward line, it troubled them a bit.”

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Kitchen finished with three majors, Strnak contributed two, while midfielders Brandon Houlihan and Liam McMahon also hit the scoreboard with two apiece.

Ashlin Brown starred off the half-back flank, while mid-season recruit Nathan Montague also fired in a new role in defence.

“He was in doubt coming into the game,” Kretiuk said of Brown.

“We sort of pushed it a bit, so we were lucky he started but to have a game like that was great.”

Jase Perkins (five goals) and ex-AFL forward Jack Redpath (three) combined for eight of Deer Park’s nine majors.

But the Lions were overwhelmed in the second half, leaving them with plenty of work to do.

“There were only a couple of little areas we had to clean up on, and one was our execution,” Kretiuk said of his side’s first half.

“We needed better decision-making going forward. We were just blazing away.

“We were just rushing our kicks and giving it straight back to them.

“I thought for most of the day we controlled the ball. They’re such a good side with good users and they just capitalise on your mistakes.

“In the second half … we certainly controlled the inside-50 count.”

While Deer Park remains in contention for a record seventh flag in succession, Kretiuk said he “couldn’t pick a standout” in an even premiership race.

The ex-Western Bulldogs defender is also not ruling a line through the Lions, who have a proven record of delivering their best in September.

“Externally, everyone is writing them off, but I never poke the bear,” Kretiuk said.

“They get a few players back and they’ll always be a side to be reckoned with.”

The Warriors will meet the four sides below them — Point Cook, Caroline Springs, Sunshine and Albion — in the run home.

Altona, St Albans, Werribee Districts and Caroline Springs were the other Division 1 winners in Round 14.

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