MARIBYRNONG Park is the new short-priced favourite to claim the 2006 Essendon District Football League B Grade flag after a supreme performance against West Coburg on Saturday.
Local fans were given a pre-finals treat at Shore Reserve when the top two teams played out for the minor premiership and a rest in the first week of the finals.
The Lions are finding form at the business end of the season and proved a contender with a runaway 43-point win.
Maribyrnong’s only loss of the regular season before the weekend was in the corresponding fixture between the two sides in round four, when West Coburg snuck home by six points.
But with plenty to play for and the Lions nearing full strength ahead of the finals, it was a different story the second time around.
After leading by eight points at the long break, the Lions stepped up with nine goals to four in the second half to run away comfortably. Nathan Zarafa and Joshua Tanner were the catalysts behind the win, while Xavier Coppock continued his fine season in front of goals with a six-goal bag.
The Lions have this week off before playing the winner of the qualifying final between West Coburg and Pascoe Vale.
