WRFL 2021 preview: Deer Park and Altona to meet in grand final rematch
Two of the Western Region Football League’s most powerful clubs will meet in a mouth-watering clash this weekend — and both will welcome back big names.
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Western Region Football League heavyweights Deer Park and Altona will face-off for the first time since their epic 2019 grand final clash this weekend.
The Lions have claimed the past seven Division 1 flags – a metropolitan record in a top-flight competition – while the Vikings won the minor premiership in 2018 and 2019 before falling short in the finals.
Unbeaten Altona has established itself as the WRFL’s pacesetter in the early stages of the campaign, while Deer Park has won two of its first three games.
There will be no shortage of motivation for the Vikings against a new-look opponent away from home.
They had beaten their rival three times before the decider two years ago and were staring at the ultimate prize when they held a 19-point advantage at three-quarter-time.
But miraculously Deer Park booted last three goals of the match against the breeze to prevail by three points in a gripping contest.
Coach Marc Bullen later rated it the best grand final triumph during the club’s remarkable run of success.
Both have had coaching changes since that day, with Corey McCall leading Altona and former president Mark McGoldrick steering the Lions.
“I’m not going to dismiss that there’s any guys out there who might have a little bit of extra motivation. We all know how much a grand final loss hurts guys,” McCall said.
“I think the guys have definitely got a little bit of extra motivation playing Deer Park this week because of that result, even though it was so long ago.
“But they do understand that obviously the team looks a lot different now than 2019, we play a different style of football to 2019 as well.
“It’s going to be a good clash and obviously we’d like to walk away with the four points going out to Deer Park. But we expect a competitive and brutal game.”
The Vikings kept WRFL power Spotswood goalless for the first time since 1947 in a remarkable 58-point victory in Round 3, while Deer Park scored a crushing 67-point victory over Yarraville-Seddon.
Altona will regain former AFL player Jayden Post, while Josh MacDonald, Ben Norton and Josh Rafferty could also come back in to the team.
The Lions are set to be boosted by the returns of Aaron Britten, Brent Fairley and Pele Manivong, while ex-Carlton and Brisbane Lions star Brendan Fevola will not be available until next month.
“They’re obviously taking all before them at the moment,” McGoldrick said of the Vikings.
“To keep a team like Spotswood goalless is just an outstanding achievement, so they’ve got a very strong defensive group as well as a strong attacking group.
“It’s going to be a formidable challenge.”
McGoldrick said his side was building momentum after a first-up defeat to Brodie Holland’s Caroline Springs.
He was encouraged by his players’ ability to finish games off, with Deer Park kicking nine last-quarter goals and conceding just one in the past two weeks.
The Lions waved goodbye to WRFL greats Chris Stewart and Kwame McHarg after 2019, but have since gained the likes of Fevola and former Richmond forward Todd Elton, who is coming off a five goal haul.
“I’m very bullish about them,” McGoldrick said.
“I thought Round 1 … just didn’t represent what our pre-season was or our practice match form.
“But our last two weeks have been good, and the most pleasing thing is our young players are getting to understand local footy.”
In other blockbuster suburban footy clashes, contenders Bundoora and Heidelberg will lock horns in the Northern league, while Noble Park will tackle South Croydon in the Eastern league.
In the Victorian Amateur Football Association, reigning premier University Blues will take on contender Old Xaverians in what promises to be a mouth-watering encounter, while star-studded Port Melbourne Colts will host Cheltenham in a top-of-the-table Southern league match-up.
Ladder-leaders Beaconsfield and Cranbourne will also meet in AFL Outer East.
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