The Donnybrook Football Club has moved to sixth on the SWFL 2017 ladder following their 21-point victory over Carey Park Panthers on Sunday.
Crowds braved overcast conditions at VC Mitchell Park to welcome both teams onto the field.
The Belt Up weekend showdown saw Carey Park off to a strong start, kicking two of the game’s first three goals.
Dons player Jacob Green looked set to control the game, kicking five goals in the first quarter.
A goal to Sean Lynch stretched the Dons’ lead to 6.2.38 to 3.4.22 at quarter time.
Carey Park coach Richard Barnard rallied his players to fix gaps in the defensive line and to push for back-to-back goals.
Donnybrook pushed harder in the second quarter, maintaining possession and running head-long through the midfield towards goal at every opportunity.
Torrential rain made for slippery, scrappy play midway through the term.
Goals to Reece Ralston and Lynch extended the lead, while their defence kept Carey Park goalless in the second quarter.
The 9.7.61 to 3.6.24 margin at the main break gave Donnybrook fans confidence.
The Panthers’ shots on goal picked up in the third quarter.
Both teams traded points while contending with slippery conditions throughout the term.
Carey Park’s Jayden Wilson was sent off via blood rule, before Christopher Mcmillan missed a goal-scoring opportunity late in the quarter.
Leading 10.11.71 to 4.9.33 at the final change, Donnybrook coach Julian Burgess pushed his team to maintain possession and play methodically in the last quarter.
Kelvin Lawrence slotted one through in their forward 50 to give Carey Park hope.
Two goals to Mcmillan and one to Mahli King midway through the term also closed the gap.
Donnybrook held on for a 11.14.80 to 8.11.59 scoreline by full time, and their third win for the season.
Green received the Belt-Up game ball in front of the players, coaches and fans.
The Dons face Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault away in round seven while Carey Park will contend with Bunbury at home.
After the match, Burgess said his team rallied in the first half but could have done more to combat the opposition’s forward momentum in the second.
Barnard said the side would focus on execution and decision making.
“I think Donnybrook got hold of us in the first half, which was quite obvious on the scoreboard, so their midfielders took control and really set the game up for them,” he said.
