Football
THIS weekend the mighty Dons travelled to Busselton for the final round of the home and away season.
Going into the final weekend the Dons were sitting precariously in fifth place ahead of the Harvey Bulls on percentage only. This meant the Dons needed to achieve a result as good or better than Harvey could produce at home to Carey Park.
The trip to Busselton to play under lights was always going to be a big challenge with the magpies on top of the ladder. The night game at Busselton is a real bogey fixture for the Dons and this year looked harder than ever.
Starting the game undermanned due to selection confusion, the Dons were behind early as Busselton showed why they have been so hard to beat this year. The well-drilled magpies were faster, fitter and more determined than the Dons and to the crowd it seemed that they had extra men on the oval as their superior foot speed resulted in free players popping up all over the oval.
After the long break with full forward Jeff Smith unable to resume with a recurrence of his troublesome groin injury, the Dons had very little to offer and were frankly outplayed.
Even though it was a must-win game, the Dons did not seem to have belief in their ability to win. Last week’s loss to South Bunbury in a game that would have secured a finals berth was on everyone’s mind and in truth the Dons were never in the game.
At three quarter time with the win impossible Coach Lewis reminded the players that they must continue to fight to preserve the percentage advantage over Harvey. This much they did achieve and the final result left Harvey needing the win to leapfrog into the finals. Final scores were Donnybrook 11-5-71 to Busselton 19-13-127. Best for the Dons were Lance Smith, Jason Orr, Chris Cross and John Hearman.
Earlier the colts and reserves had both been beaten by strong sides.
Reserves : Donnybrook 5-10-40 to Busselton 15-6-96. Best for the Dons were Terry Carroll, Harry Windsor, Basildon Bond and Ivan Kickabolockov.
Colts : Donnybrook 3-6-24 to Busselton 23-15-153. Best for the Dons were Jacko, Robbo and Dion Parker.
Playing on the Sunday, Harvey comfortably accounted for an understrength Carey park side leaving the Dons just short of finals football. This is the eleventh season in a row that the Dons have finished in the bottom five and given the strength of the squad this year and the good start to the season there can be few excuses.
In truth a lot of hard work was put in by the club and the coaching staff to push the window of opportunity open for the players but they failed to jump through it. Yes we were more competitive but ultimately that is not enough. Whether the hard work and hard choices required for success will be made in the off season remains to be seen.
The South West Football League moves into finals mode now and there will be some good football to watch if you can get the opportunity. The Don recommends you follow Busselton to the grand finals as the form team.
Till next season, go the Mighty Dons!
