The newly formed Calder United has sent out an ominous warning to the league in its inaugural outing on the Goff Letts oval on Saturday.
Looking like anything but a newly formed side, Calder ran like a well oiled machine, beginning in the middle where runners Matt Wade, Steve Kennedy and Zane Keighran continually drove the ball towards goal with forwards enjoying the constant supply.
Jack Exell, son of former Donald primary school student and Geelong footballer Gavin, had a day out with eight goals while Mitch Farmer chimed in with five, being the main beneficiaries.
Donald, on the other hand, can be buoyed by the endeavour displayed with its attack on the ball. Chock full of locals, hard nuts like captain Ed. Landwehr, Harry Forrest and coach Dan Pearce never shirked an issue and the long sleeved Dyson Bell-Warren played one of his best games in the Royal Blue colours, using his dash out of defence.
As is typical in most first quarters of the season, the football was played at a frenetic pace. The Lions’ Zane Keighran and Matt Wade were busy and eventually Jack Exell broke the ice with the game’s first goal.
The Donald club welcomes Brent and Ben Arho, with the former marking and converting from a Bell-Warren pass. Exell added two more for Calder United, and team-mate Matt Wade drilled one from outside fifty. It’s great to see Charlie Campbell, Tom Letts and Darcy Harrison back at the Donald club and their ball skills were still evident. Harry Forrest kicked a goal over the outstretched hands of a pack to make it four goals to two in favour of the visitors.
Donald didn’t add to its goal tally after quarter-time while United worked its way into overdrive. Exell snared three more while Kennedy and Keighran kicked one apiece and Dean Putt channelled Tom Hawkins and grabbed the ball from the ruck and snapped truly.
Newcomer to the Blues, Robert Walker, was working his way into the game and using his height to haul in marks, while Ryan Leeder and Darcy Harrison were repelling many attacks.
After the long break the match tightened. The Lions’ Zac Caccaviello was strong across half-back and difficult to pass. Mitch Farmer eventually kicked a major after seven minutes of play and Exell another, the breeze having a telling factor which was deceptively stronger than it appeared until you ventured out on to the ground.
Kicking with this breeze in the final period the flood gates began to open as United piled on ten unanswered goals. Sharing in the spoils was Kobe Lloyd with two.
Final scores: Calder United 23.26 (164) to Donald 2.1 (13).
Best for Calder United: Zane Keighran, Jack Exell, Zac Caccaviello, Boe Bish, Darcy Munro, Mitch Farmer.
For Donald: Dyson Bell Warren, Dan Pearce, Darcy Harrison, Charlie Campbell, Ed Landwehr, Robert Walker.
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This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 8 April 2025.
