WRFL: Deer Park prepares for the future but where will it lie?

Deer Park’s finals exit means the WRFL will have a new Division 1 premier for the first time in 10 years as a powerful era came to an end. Here’s how the Lions plan to respond.

It’s officially the end of an era at Deer Park.

For the first time since 2012, the Western Region Football League will have a new Division 1 premier.

Deer Park won seven straight grand finals between 2013 and 2019, some by massive margins others by the skin of their teeth.

They won the Division 2 premiership and promotion to the top tier two years earlier.

The 2009 season also saw premiership success in Division 2 but the Lions didn’t make the move up.

Before that was 15 years of heartbreak — a Division 1 premiership was won in 1994 — including three losing grand finals and relegation at the end of 2001.

Outgoing coach Mark McGoldrick. Picture: Local Legends Photography

When the Lions were eliminated in straight sets by Werribee Districts last weekend the winds of change at John McLeod Oval officially took effect.

Mark McGoldrick, the man who took over from Mark Bulleen, had coached his last game.

Heath Scotland will be the new man in the hot seat next year.

Many expected Deer Park to fall back into the pack, as they had done in the Covid impacted 2021 season.

They did.

But they’re still taking the positives from 2022.

“We were always going to be happy to make finals and we thought anything would be possible from there,” McGoldrick said.

“There wasn’t much between us and Werribee throughout the year but we let ourselves down in front of goal — it’s been the story of our year. They were too good in the end, credit to them and all the best.

“We’re happy with where the club is at. We have a very different looking team to the side who ran out on grand final day in 2019.

“The future is bright at Deer Park.”

But where that future lies still remains to be seen.

The Lions have put forward an application to join the Essendon District Football League for 2023.

Club officials including McGoldrick presented to the EDFL board last month.

They would need to accept the proposal before it’s put to a vote from member clubs.

“We’re still awaiting a decision,” McGoldrick said.

Rodney Van Riet. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Despite a possible competition shift on the cards, the Lions are getting active to retain the playing list.

McGoldrick said there is a “strong feeling a large percentage” will stay.

“We’ve spoken about this group having to have their own chance to write the club’s next chapter,” he said.

“We think Heath is going to take us to the next level. He’s got some great experience and a great footy brain.

“We’ve got under 16s in the juniors and hopefully in a couple of years time a full group of juniors we can bring through to senior footy.”

For McGoldrick, a man who has done just about everything possible at the club is ready for a break.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” he said.

“Nothing has changed too much about the game, it’s more about man management now.

“I’ve loved game day and if that was the only aspect I probably would have given it another go. Now I’ll be around the club enjoying watching the boys run around on a Saturday.”