Keep Punching, The Buloke Times

Welcome to the final NCFL home-and-away game for the 2024 season – Donald v. Wedderburn.

The final four had come down to the last round. Donald was locked into the top four; Wedderburn needed to defeat Donald that day to secure its spot in the final four, while up north, Nullawil needed to defeat the Demons to stake its claim for the same spot in the four. There was great interest in both games indeed.

The media box was busy all day. The 20th anniversary of Donald’s 2004 premiership was happening all day, coached by the very popular Glenn Wilkins and captained by their own head of security, Geoff Berry.

In the room next door, the Donald netball ladies were having a ladies’ day, with both functions happening most of the afternoon. The end result could have been interesting!

Speaking to Coach Potter pre-game, he was very upfront in saying that Donald would not hold back even though it could afford to lose that day. He wanted his side to head into the finals with a winning attitude.

Two late changes: Papalia and Wallin were out, both sore; Stevenson was back in, which was a big plus. The scribe entered the upbeat changing rooms of the ‘Burn. Coach Metherell stated that Wedderburn was at near full strength and had come to Donald to win and win only.

The weather could have been a factor that day, a real mixed bag: dark clouds, scrawly rains/winds, then bright sunshine – we would see, I guess. The media box was full on with the 2004 past players – Wilkins, Berry, Vickery, Burke, Baird, Beckham, Gilmore, Trollope, Young. Many stories were told and then retold over and over.

Donald needed to win that game leading into the finals the following week and complete a day of DFC celebrations – go Donald! Wedderburn kicked to the Charlton Road end, favoured by a 2-3 goal breeze, with the playing arena basking in brilliant sunshine.

Both teams were hard at it, Forrest and Cooper, with great tackles. Hargreaves from a long way out, rushed a point. Donald’s defence combined well, McEwen, free kick, missed. Campbell, touchy free kick goals, the ‘Burn’s first. Cooper again with great tackling, as usual, hard at it. Berry had a free kick, was dumped hard, bit of back chat; he was taken to the square – Donald’s first.

Kerr to Blake, clever, to Berry; he fluffed the kick. Out of the pack to Young, he ran and ran, didn’t miss many – great play out of the centre. Campbell marked, and goaled. Then a clever kick from Blake to Berry, who kicked his second.

Rain squalls, then brilliant sunshine this quarter, what a day, weather-wise. Donald into its square, Barrack to Berry, back to Barrack, he goaled – goal for goal, an entertaining first quarter. McEwen kicked his first for the Redbacks, Green with a timely mark in the ‘Burn’s square and with big Browne’s assistance, Donald’s defence held up well.

As the quarter came to a close, ex-DFC press was still making over-the-top statements.

Quarter-time: Donald 4.1, Wedderburn 3.2.

Donald should have been satisfied with its first-quarter effort, four goals into the breeze, although the same breeze had dropped considerably. Wedderburn went straight into attack, Furlong goaled from hard running along the outer wing. Holt marked on the 50-metre mark, hit the post. No spark from Donald at the moment.

Many stoppages, pressure footy. Campbell marked, rushed a point – come on Donald – lift. Young off the pack, with a lovely snap off his other kicking boot. The great tackling continued from both sides. Barrack to Stevenson, to the square, the ball was cleared, back to Stevenson to Blake – never in doubt.

Wonderful play along the outer wing to Holt – he goaled. Browne was dominating the rucks/stoppages. Cooper, a tad high fella; his opponent must have been short, this scribe would have known. A great contest by two teams who wanted to play finals. With three minutes left to complete the half, Jackson from a long way out goaled, then Furlong marked, was dumped, 50-metre penalty, he goaled. Donald did not need that, two goals in “red time.”

Half-time: Donald 6.2, Wedderburn 7.7.

As the second half started, the playing arena was again basking in brilliant sunshine, no breeze now, perfect conditions for the second half – no excuses for either side.

Great forward pressure to Blake, he missed, unusual. Browne had been a colossus that day. Cooper to Blake to Barrack to Blake to Stevenson, great play by foot deserved more than a point.

Stevenson from a stoppage missed, Donald needed a goal; then from a turnover, Hards to Bath – he goaled, Donald needed that – 4-point game.

Hards out of the pack – point. Both sides were still hard at it. Young to Hards to Browne, he missed – now a 2-point game, as Cooper continued his day of great tackling.

Stoppages were now on the increase, as the warm sun started to take its toll on the players. Campbell marked, missed a sitter. Logan Geddes and Campbell had a great duel all day.

The siren sounded, an enjoyable quarter – anyone’s game.

Three-quarter time: Donald 7.7, Wedderburn 7.10.

As we entered the final quarter of the 2024 season, the Redbacks’ season was on the line. Donald could afford to lose, but it was sure they would want to enter the finals with a positive mindset.

Perfect conditions still existed, a good crowd – let’s go! Tough opening, both sides were hard at the Sherrin. No scores in the first three minutes. Geddes to Blake to Barrack to the square, off the pack, Young goaled – nice! – 3-point game.

This quarter would not be a high-scoring quarter; every goal would mean a lot to both sides. Great play Berry, three efforts, deserved more. Lockhart to the square, Browne punched through–1-point game.

Holt goaled for the Redbacks, Blake, playing a great final quarter, just missed off his left foot. The tension was mounting for the visitors’ supporters.

Down the wing, Barrack to Kerr, he missed, the tension was mounting. McEwen marked and kicked truly from the scoreboard side – now a match-winning lead as the end of the quarter neared.

The siren sounded, ending a very entertaining game – and both sides would do it again the following week.

Final scores: Donald 8.10, Wedderburn 9.14.

Donald’s best: Browne, Young, Hayden Geddes, Blake Grant, Cooper Anderson.

Wedderburn’s best: Metherell, Furlong, Lockhart, Holt.

Final observations

There should be a wonderful rematch between these two sides at Birchip. Wedderburn with its running game, Donald better suited to the hard contested ball – a contrast of playing styles.

Congrats to big Andrew Browne on his season, culminating with being named runner-up for the Feeny Medal – Keith Chalmers Memorial Trophy – you deserved Donald’s “best and fairest” in 2024, followed by Hayden Geddes then Blake.

Kids half-time that day – Jeffcott v Cope Cope – well done again Sam Beavis on your year with the kids.

With the completion of the 2024 season, Keep Punching would like to thank DFC Secretary Faulks for his season’s support, Donald coach Josh Potter for his upfront pre-game match comments and to all the regulars in the media box in 2024 – it has been fun!

Finally, one last “clip” towards the DFC committee. During the afternoon’s 20 years celebrations in the Anderson Blue, the question was asked many times by various premiership players – “Where are the honour boards? Where is Donald’s history of premierships? There have been many.” Just saying for the last time in 2024.

See all the pictures in  the issue.
This article appeared in  The Buloke Times, 20 August 2024.