Tara Murray
The results of a huge pre-season were on show for Caroline Springs in the opening round of the Western Region Football League division 1 season on Saturday.
Facing a Deer Park side that have recruited well in the off season, the Lakers were challenged in the third quarter after a good start, but were able to respond and come away with the 15.13 (103)-7.6 (48) win.
Lakers football manager Marc Raak said they entered this season on the back of one of their best pre-seasons ever.
“In years past we’ve had injurie and haven’t got through a pre-season without them,” he said.
“We had a full list to choose from for the three practice matches and had great numbers play.
“Coming into round one it was a bit of a nightmare for the coaches. It was very hard to pick a team, but we picked the right team looking at the result.
“It was good to get a win against Deer Park.”
The Lakers blew the game open in the first half, as they led by 42 points at the main break.
While they didn’t have it all their own way in the second half, Raak was really pleased with how they responded. He said the match showed how far they had come in the last couple of years.
“We started really well and controlled the game for 95 per cent of the time,” he said.
“We knew they would come back and they put a few goals together in the third quarter.
“We responded with a couple of steadying goals. Two to three years ago we would have lost that game due to inexperience.
“The recruits that we got in, helped us settle down when we needed to.”
Steve Kyriazis kicked three goals, while four players chipped in with two as the Lakers shared the goals around.
Max Tessari was named the side’s best.
Raak said recruit Josh Cubillo, a premiership player at Aberfeldie, was really good in the middle of the ground, while Josh Mold was really good on the wing.
Jamie Ristoski and Dylan Laurie, who have come through the Lakers junior system, were others to impress Raak as they look to make their mark in the senior side.
The Lakers this week face Yarraville Seddon at Yarraville. Raak said it provides a good opportunity for them.
“They didn’t have a good start to round one by looking at the scores,” he said. “They pushed us all the way there last year and beat us at our ground.
“We have a good opportunity to go 2-0.”
The Lakers women’s side will start their season on Saturday night against Hoppers Crossing at Hoppers Crossing.
In other results from the men’s competition, Altona had a 60-point win against St Albans, Hoppers Crossing was way too strong for Sunshine, Spotswood easily accounted for Yarraville Seddon and Werribee Districts piled on the goals against Point Cook.
