Football
DONNYBROOK hosted Harvey Brunswick Lions at VC Mitchell Park on Sunday.
HBL have a young side and earlier in the year had run the Dons close on their own ground.
After last week’s setback against Bunbury, the Don’s camp were taking nothing for granted and Coach Lewis approached the game with intensity.
With Chris Cross back from a one week absence, the Dons also welcomed ex-Collingwood player Shannon Cox. In addition a couple of changes were forced on the coaching staff through injuries and work commitments, giving an opportunity to Reece Ralston to step up from Colts for his first league game of the year and Ray Giudici to move up from reserves. The side looked well balanced and the Dons are building a squad with some genuine depth heading into the last part of the season.
Although once again the Dons started slowly, with HBL kicking into an early three goal lead, this week the Dons got into their stride within the first quarter and with ferocious attack on the ball went into the first break on level terms. In the second quarter livewire Jason Brennan took the game on up front, back to his best after looking a little rusty last week having missed several weeks with a hamstring injury. Pressing forward effectively, the Dons were also much better organized at the back. Cox is clearly a class act, his AFL pedigree was obvious and the Dons only conceded a single major in each of the last three quarters. The midfield was also performing well despite Curtis Guglielmana lurking out of position, often with deadly effect, amongst the forwards for much of the game to nurse his injured ankle.
One of the aspects of the performance that will have pleased Lewis is that the Dons had twelve goal kickers on the day and also ran the game out strongly scoring eight goals in the final quarter.
Although the Dons will not be complacent after last week’s slipup, this was a strong performance going in to the break and with the depth in the squad the Dons are looking to improve from here. Final score Donnybrook 18-10-118 to HBL 7-5-47. Best for the Dons were Jason Brennan, Hayden King, Reece Ralston and Jason Orr.
Earlier in the day the colts had had one of their best days of the year against the top side in the competition. The final margin was less than half the losing margin earlier in the season and was testament to the improvement in the group. Final score Donnybrook 4-6-30 to HBL 18-9-117. Best for the Dons were Todd Gregory, Sean Robertson, Isaac Freeman and Shaun Towers.
The reserves had one of their best days for many years. Taking on an HBL side very much in the mix for finals they turned the tables on HBL. The Dons looked the better side all day with strong performances from some has beens and some will be’s. Grizzled veterans Whitey and Swarbs led the way with Pope and Gilly putting their hands up for the top grade. On this form there will be several more wins this year for first year coach Wade Cross. Well done boys persistence pays off! Final score Donnybrook 13-5-83 to HBL 9-7-61. Best for the Dons were Aaron White, Brad Swarbrick, Levi Pope and Ryan Gilbert.
The SWFL now has a break for the Landmark country championship.
Donnybrook’s next game is at home to Augusta-Margaret River on Sunday July 26.
