Under clear blue skies and before a spirited home crowd, the Donald and Charlton Football Netball Clubs took a moment to pay tribute to one of local footy’s great servants — Donald stalwart Bill Anderson.

In a fitting pre-game ceremony, Bill was honoured with life membership of the North Central Football League, marking decades of contribution to the game. With daughter Glenda by his side, he walked through a guard of honour formed by both senior and reserve players before tossing the coin to get the senior clash under way.

It was also a time to celebrate the two hundredth game in royal blue colours by Darcy Harrison. “Pistol” has had setbacks from injuries, but has been a superb player for Donald and over the years, forwards have licked their lips over the sight of him swinging on to his left side and drilling passes with deadly accuracy.

Donald made several changes to its lineup from recent rounds. Daniel Pearce was given extended time on the ball, producing a lion-hearted performance and led by example. Joe Sheridan was called up from the reserves to bolster the ruck stocks and didn’t look out of place.

Charlton drew first blood through young gun Mason Heenan, who showed his pedigree with a clever snap reminiscent of his father’s playing days.

The Navies soon found their rhythm, with Luke Dunne slotting two majors from the wing, Mitch Collins adding another, and Aaron Schofield kicking truly against his former side. By quarter-time, the visitors had jumped to a commanding six-goal lead.

The second term was Donald’s best for the season. After Rhys Thompson dobbed a major for Charlton, Donald nabbed three, Dan Pearce from outside fifty, George Morgan after a familiar dash from Dyson Bell-Warren and again after selling candy and kicking truly.

Donald’s Nick Atkins, Charlie Campbell and Dyson Bell-Warren were in everything, while the Navies’ Sean O’Connor and defender Elliott Fitzpatrick were also busy.

It was Charlton which came out firing after half time. Clever forward Kris Clifford kicked the first two of his three goals for the game and Bailey Kemp, Luke Dunne and Mitch Collins added three more. Donald’s forward Brent Arho slotted one and the infatigable Dan Pearce another, but Charlton’s lead had grown to more than seven goals at the final break.

There were only two goals booted in the final period, to Charlton’s Bailey Kemp and Kris Clifford. Ben Xirha and Mason Heenan would have been pleased with their contributions for Charlton as would Kalon Green, Luca Rice and Will Noble with Donald. Overall, it was a competitive game by two sides where wins will come at a premium.

• Scores: Charlton 14.10 (94) to Donald 5.5 (35).
• Best for Charlton: Ben Lanyon, Mitch Collins, Sean O’Connor, Elliott Fitzpatrick, Ben Xirha, Mason Heenan.
• For Donald: Dan Pearce, Dyson Bell-Warren, Charlie Campbell, Nick Atkins, Kalon Green, Luca Rice.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 13 May 2025.