By LIAM TWOMEY
THE Queen’s Birthday bye did nothing to slow the momentum of Deer Park with the Western Region Football League front runners thrashing Hoppers Crossing by 57 points on Saturday. The Lions wasted no time getting on top in the contest, holding the Warriors goal-less in the first half while piling on six goals of their own.
As the margin ballooned to 39 points at the long break, Hoppers Crossing finally got into the contest and attempted to eat into the deficit at the resumption of play.
The Warriors kicked four goals to one in the third term to cut the margin to just 19 points with 30 minutes left.
However, Deer Park showed just why it is the favourite to take out the WRFL premiership this year, regrouping to kick six final-quarter goals and secure the 13.16 (94) to 4.13 (37) win.
It was an even spread of goal scorers for Deer Park with Kwame Mcharg the standout, kicking three. He was well supported by eight other Lions who finished with at least one goal.
It was the opposite for Hoppers Crossing with just three Warriors hitting the scoreboard for a major.
Around the ground, Robert Wittmer worked hard for Hoppers Crossing to be among his side’s best players.
Saturday’s result sees Hoppers Crossing fall out of the WRFL’s top five with the Warriors occupying sixth place on the ladder and a 5-4 win/loss record for the season.
They are equal on wins with fifth-placed St Albans however, trailing the Saints by 14 percentage points.
There are no such worries for Deer Park with the Lions’ two games clear on top of the table with a perfect 9-0 record for the year.
In other division one results, Albion got the better of Yarraville, Altona smashed Sunshine, St Albans beat North Footscray and Spotswood defeated Port Melbourne.
When round 10 gets underway this weekend, Hoppers Crossing will take on Port Melbourne in a must-win clash while St Albans will meet Deer Park.
IN division two results, Manor Lakes continued its charge towards a finals berth with a 13-point win against Sunshine Heights.
There was nothing separating the two sides throughout the contest, but a four-goal-to-three final term from the Storm proved to be the difference in the 12.12 (84) to 10.11 (71) win.
