Deer Park’s Graham Catterall and Spotswood’s Elliott Wood compete for the ball. 80235_13 Picture: DAMIAN VISENTINI
By MICHAEL ESPOSITO
DEER Park was given a reality check in the second round of the Western Region Football League after reigning premier Spotswood dealt a lesson in Division One footy to crush the Lions by 118 points on Saturday.
It was the Lions’ first loss since 2010, after handing out so many thrashings of their own over the past 12 months and opening its 2012 campaign with a 15-goal defeat of St Albans.
Deer Park, last year’s Division Two premier, was without key players James Condos and Chris Stewart, and was simply no match for the Woodsmen, who had the game in control from the get-go.
Spotswood ran out 28.9 (177) to 8.11 (59) winners.
Shaun Buttigieg-Clarke, Graeme. Catterall and Leigh Cook were among Deer Park’s better players, while Ben Foley continued his impressive start to the season.
Spotswood’s Jason Cloke caused the Lions headaches all game, and finished up with nine goals.
Woodsmen coach Chris O’Keefe said despite Deer Park had plenty of upside, despite the heavy loss.
“They had plenty of the footy, they won it well and they moved the ball well,” he said.
“Obviously they had a couple of their key players missing, but that’s the just the way it is. The 22 you put out on the field have got to do the job.
“They’re certianly going to win more games than they lose.”
Deer Park will take on North Footscray this Saturday.
In other results, Altona was too good for Hoppers Crossing, winning by 51 points, while Port Melbourne did a number on Sunshine Heights by 22 points.
