The mighty Dons continued their strong start to the season by defeating the ladder-leading Carey Park Panthers at home on Sunday.
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Carey Park had started the season strongly under mercurial coach John Bagetta and entered the clash on the back of four straight wins.
The Panthers are always ruthless and the Dons anticipated a real test of their improving side and the big blue and white crowd was not disappointed.
Don's coach David Lewis reminded the boys before the league game that although unbeaten, Carey Park were far from unbeatable.
However it was the Panthers who started the match sharper, pouncing on some sloppy midfield work to kick away to an alarming six-goal lead before the game was ten minutes old.
Former Port Adelaide forward Matt Martin was unstoppable up front and the Dons looked on shaky ground. In a tactical masterstroke, coach Lewis switched his match ups around and to the delight of the blue and white crowd, the Dons clawed their way back into the game.
Veteran Robbie Cross was on fire in the forward line and helped the Dons turn the deficit in to a one-point lead at quarter time.
After quarter time the game was a magnificent example what is great about SWFL football, with some quality football from both sides. The lead was never more than a couple of goals and only one point separated the sides at half time.
As the game wore on big man Jeff Smith, playing through the pain with a serious rib injury, began to dominate the forward 50 and with the game still in the balance deep in the fourth quarter Jeff took an amazing left-handed mark when his right had become 'mysteriously wedged' under the armpit of his opponent.
Smith kicked truly and sealed the game for the Dons for a a great comeback win. The final scores were Donnybrook 17.3 (105) defeating Carey Park 13.10 (88). Best on ground for Donnybrook were C. Beggs, M. Manea, B. Francisco, D. Roche and J. Smith.
Earlier in the day Donnybrook's Crescent Conveyancing colts side took on Carey Park. Despite, fielding one of the youngest sides in the competition, the Dons showed a lot of improvement.
Under coach Burgess this group has improved every week and although going down to Carey Park’s older and bigger bodies at the end, they managed to register ten major scores.
Tod Gregory kicked half of these for a personal bag of five, earning him a free meal at the Mighty Dons Friday night meals this week.
The final score was Donnybrook 10.2 (62) defeated by Carey Park 22.9 (141). Best for Donnybrook were S. Towers, B. Alsopp, J. Ripper and T. Gregory.
Next to play after the colts were the reserves. Carey Park's reserves are one of the strongest sides in the comp and despite the Dons improved performances this year, it was always going to be a tough day.
The Dons showed that there is a lot more depth in the club this year and there are several players are pushing for league selection.
Final scores Donnybrook 4.12 (36) defeated by Carey Park 21.9 (135). Best for the Dons were L. Smith, J. Buckley and J. Coad.
Don’t forget magnificent meals at the mighty Dons every Friday night.
Go the Mighty Dons!