If we thought Deer Park made a statement last week, then we’re out of superlatives for their dominant display against the previously undefeated West Coburg.
The margin stood at 70 points at the final siren in a game that Deer Park controlled from the outset.
We were expecting a third thriller between these two sides but with the margin 27 points at quarter time, Deer Park looked a different beast entirely.
They would build on that lead through the next two quarters and restrict the Burgers to just 2.7 at the final change, boasting 11.9 themselves.
Four West Coburg goals in the final term made the scoreline a little more respectable for the minor premiers as they now prepare to face Rupertswood in a Preliminary Final.
Lachie Smart kicked five goals for Deer Park with multiples also to Todd Elton, Jack Dorgan, and Captain Spiros Amarantidis.
Levi Greenwood returned to the side with a best on ground performance after missing their first final, while Dorgan and Nash Holmes stood out in a stacked midfield battle.
Rupertswood are through to a Preliminary Final after defeating Hillside in their first Senior final win since moving across to the EDFL.
After trailing by 11 points at the first change, Rupo put the foot down in the final three quarters to outscore Hillside 12 goals to two (79 to 21).
They started winning clearances, retained possession around the ground, provided their forwards with better service than the first quarter, and applied manic pressure on the ball to force turnovers.
Dean Galea returned to Joe Brown Oval with four goals after dominating at the venue in the top flight for so many years, as Jacob Chahine (three goals) and Zak Saad (two goals) provided headaches for the Hillside defence.
Jackson Cardillo and Jordan Tentonello were standout performers for Rupertswood but were complemented by a full team effort in a strong bounceback from their loss the previous week.
Josh Covelli was well held by Aaron West finishing with just two goals, while Koby Young was named Hillside’s best in what was a busy day for him and his side in defence.
West Coburg awaits Rupo who’ll get another run on Joe Brown Oval in as many weeks, while Charlie Denaro has coached his last game for Hillside following his incredible service to multiple clubs across the EDFL.
Sunbury Kangaroos will feature in their second Strathmore Community Bank Division Two Grand Final after defeating Taylors Lakes in a five-point thriller at Salesian College.
It was a hot start to the game with seven goals kicked in the opening term seeing Taylors Lakes stretch out to a 19-point lead at quarter time.
The Kangaroos responded with four unanswered goals in the second term to wrangle back the momentum and take a two-point lead into the main break.
Each team put three goals on the scoreboard in the third term with the Lions’ accuracy waning from their first-quarter blitz to see the game tied at the last change.
With everything to play for in the final quarter, Taylors Lakes struck first before the Kangaroos responded with the next two.
A Taylors Lakes goal in the 22nd minute brought the deficit back to one point, but just two minutes later Jack Vivian slotted a set shot to extend it back to a two-kick game.
After some misses either way, the siren sounded 36 minutes into the final quarter to hand the Sunbury Kangaroos an astonishing Grand Final berth after their 0-5 start to the season.
Dean Halliwell was superb in the ruck with Brenton Sutherland unable to take part, and enjoyed the experience of John Corso playing a big role in their midfield.
Rhys Magin was at his usual silky best, while Mitch Kook played a commanding role in the defensive half of the ground.
Mitch Streiff joined Vivian with two goals, while Raaf Rachrache kicked two up the other end of the ground.
Chris Vulic, Jack Burns, and Mitch Jones finished off their stellar seasons with a strong performance in a Taylors Lakes outfit that can hold their head high after an outstanding season despite the unwanted end.
