Deer Park has maintained its psychological edge over Hoppers Crossing in the Western Region Football League division 1.
The Lions claimed a runaway 31-point win in the grand final re-match at Hogans Road Reserve on Saturday.
It was a much tougher test for the Lions than last season’s big dance when they emerged with a resounding 114-point win.
Deer Park got off to a flyer on Saturday, kicking four goals to nil in the opening term to lead by 26 points.
Hoppers Crossing was not deterred, working hard over the next two quarters to reduce the deficit, and hold a three-point lead at three quarter-time.
In the end, Deer Park steadied with a six-goal-to-one final term to clinch its fifth win in six starts. Final scores: 10.16 (76) – 15.17 (107).
The veterans came to the fore for Deer Park with Shannon Byrnes (four goals), James Condos (four) and David Gallagher (three) combining for 11 goals.
Tim Knight, Kwame McHarg, who also added two goals, and Sohrob Ismail were the other dominant Lions.
Deer Park’s next test will come against Werribee Districts at John McLeod Oval on Saturday.
Caroline Springs is still looking for its first win of the season after going down to Altona by 27 points in a hard-fought contest at Town Centre Oval.
The Lakers are proving no pushovers this season, but must be frustrated to be winless after six games.
There would appear to be no respite on the horizon for the Lakers either, with a match-up with Sunshine Kangaroos coming on Saturday.
The Kangaroos are in red hot form, cruising to a 63-point win over Werribee Districts on the road at Soldiers Reserve on Saturday. Sunshine piled on 13 goals to two after half-time with small forward Daniel Castellano jagging four goals and Liam Cavanagh filing a best-on-ground performance.
St Albans took the challenge up to undefeated ladder leader Spotswood, but ran out of puff to lose by 42 points at Kings Park Reserve.
In division 2, Albanvale hung on by the skin of its teeth to beat Newport Power by three points at Bryan Martyn Oval.
The Cobras led by 38 points at half-time, but managed to score only five behinds in the second half.
In division 3, North Sunshine romped to a 69-point win over Sunshine Heights in the local derby at Dempster Park. Ashley Evans (five goals), Bradwell Dick (four) and Brenton Cooper (three) provided the firepower.
