Football
THE South West Junior Football League Grand Finals on Saturday featured the Donnybrook Year 7’s playing Bunbury Bulldogs in the B-division grand final. A good sized crowd of Donnybrook supporters travelled to Payne Park in Bunbury to attend the grand final. Captain Mitchell Brown lost the toss and Bunbury elected to kick with a strong breeze in the first quarter.
Donnybrook’s intensity early was fitting for a grand final and whilst the midfield of Zac Trigwell, Mitchell Brown, Scott Tuia and Rory Beeson were dominating possession, it was proving difficult for the young Dons to penetrate deep into their forward line. Bunbury used the breeze well and lead convincingly 4.0 (24) to Donnybrook no score at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter Donnybrook, aided by the breeze, found forward line entries easier. Kane O’Dine was awarded a free kick for a strong tackle, O’Dine laid off a quick handball to Zac Trigwell whose long range kick put Donnybrook’s first goal on the scoreboard. Whilst the determined backline lead by Finn Turnbull, Darcy Healey and Jared Bowers held Bunbury to one solitary point for the quarter, Donnybrook’s inaccurate kicking meant it only registered 1.3 (9) to trail by 15 points at half time.
With the scoreboard against the young Dons and a premiership on the line, Donnybrook made some bold positional changes for the third quarter. Scott Tuia moved to half back, Tom Graham into the centre, Zac Burgess to the ruck and Zac Trigwell to centre half forward. The players in question rose to the challenge to lead their teammates and all of a sudden Donnybrook looked a different team. Their ball movement was quicker and cleaner and the young Don’s pressure on Bunbury was taking its toll. An accurate goal to Patrick Dore and a strong mark from Tom Graham who converted his shot for goal saw Donnybrook outscore Bunbury kicking into the breeze but still trailing at the start of the last quarter by two points.
Zac Trigwell’s strong overhead marking combined with Tom Graham’s contested possessions in the middle of the ground set up a string last quarter goals. When Clayton Baines goaled to add Donnybrook’s fourth consecutive goal for the quarter a premiership victory was in sight. A further final Donnybrook goal before the siren saw Donnybrook run out convincing winners 8.10 (58) to Bunbury 5.3(33) and complete a remarkable come from behind victory. The game ball and Umpire’s choice for best on ground in the grand final was awarded to Zac Trigwell of Donnybrook.