Two very strong Home and Away seasons from Donvale’s senior sides saw the club claim two Minor Premierships, however, both sides fell short in the 2024 Finals Series of taking home a premiership.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 1st (17-1, 174.47%)
Best and Fairest winner: James Rausa
Leading Goalkicker: Ethan Duncan (70 Goals)
Summary:
A heartbreaking finish to what was a second-consecutive dominant year from the Donvale Senior Men.
After going 17-1 and winning the 2023 Division Three flag, the Magpies repeated their home and away record of 17-1, taking home another Minor Premiership. During that period, Donvale entered the history books with one of the longest streaks in the league.
After defeating Surrey Park in Round Eleven, it marked the 28th win on the trot for the Magpies, moving into second position in the longest winning streaks in the Senior Men’s competition. They won another three games after this to take their winning streak to 31 in a row before they lost to Knox by five points.
By the numbers, it shows just how dominant of an attacking side Donvale is. An average of 104 points per game.
Chasing back-to-back flags and ultimately promotion to Division Two, Donvale met Surrey Park in two finals. The Semi-Final going their way with a four-point win over the Panthers. However, on Grand Final Day, after leading for the majority of the afternoon, a heartbreaking finish for the Magpies saw the Panthers kick the last three goals of the game to steal the win by two points.
Key Players:
There’s not anything more than what you can want from a captain than what James Rausa gives Donvale. The skipper was once again instrumental in the club’s success, on and off the field. At Chandler Medal Night, Rausa took home a second consecutive Perc James medal as the Division Three league best and fairest winner.
The twin towers up forward had outstanding seasons. Ethan Duncan and Nick Murphy combined for 116 goals between them, Duncan kicking 70, on four occasions during the season he finished with seven or more.
Max Otten held together the side’s defensive structure, putting together an extremely consistent season and was one of the Magpies’ most important players on Grand Final Day. Otten finished in the Team of the Year alongside Rausa and Duncan.
Finishing third in the club’s best and fairest behind Rausa and Duncan was Mihaele Zalac. One of the side’s most underrated players who had a fantastic season from his 15 games in 2024.
Best Win: Semi Final – Donvale 11.10 76 def. Surrey Park 10.12 72 @Jubilee Park
Arguably this could have been either of their earlier season match-up’s against the Panthers when the Magpies had to come from behind in Round Two or Round Twelve’s 76-point thumping at Surrey Park Reserve.
However, the Semi Final was one to remember, yet another tight tussle between the best two sides of the division. Leading at every change, a similar feel to the clash two weeks later at Jubilee Park. However, on this occasion, the Magpies managed to hold on for a four-point win and book their spot in a third consecutive senior Grand Final.
Off-Season Focus:
There’s no doubt that Grand Final Day would have left a bit of a sting. Three Grand Final appearances in a row is an incredible feat on its own but the group will be desperate to get back there for a fourth straight year for another chance at promotion.
If they manage to maintain the current list, they’ll enter 2025 as one of the premiership favourites once again. It’s a tough task, trying to maintain that sort of form year after year, particularly when other sides enter the mix, recruiting to catch them.
18 wins from 20 games and a Grand Final that could have gone either way means they don’t need to reinvent the wheel. The premiership window remains as open as ever, their depth through the Reserves on show with another Reserves premiership.
A resilient group, expect Donvale to come up firing again next season.
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 1st (11-1-2, 161.47%)
Best and Fairest winner: Jess Crundall
Leading Goalkicker: Monica Latino (19 Goals)
Summary:
The Magpies Senior Women’s bounced back in Division One with a fantastic Home and Away season, playing off in two finals.
The side played off in a Grand Final back in 2022 which saw them promoted to Premier Division last year. Taking learning from the top flight of the competition, the Magpies returned to Division One as a powerhouse of the comp.
The side took out the Minor Premiership, finishing on top of the ladder, with a record of 11-1-2. They remained undefeated in a patch of eight straight games from Round Two to Round Ten, with seven wins and one draw with East Ringwood during that time.
Even with injuries and unavailable players in the second half of the season, Donvale finished on top of the ladder in a very even division.
The finals didn’t go quite to plan as the side was eliminated after losses to North Ringwood and Park Orchards in the Semi and Preliminary Finals.
Key Players:
Taking out the club’s best and fairest award was Jessica Crundall, one of the side’s most reliable players. A strong defensive player, Crundall not only made this year’s Team of the Year but was also voted captain of the Division One TOTY.
The Two Runner Ups in the best and fairest also made Team of the Year honours, Amelia Van Oosterwijck and Monica Latino two of their most important players in the line-up. Latino led the side’s goalkicking with 19 majors in season 2024 but also spent time on-ball and in defence. Van Oosterwijck’s speed and ball use have been first-class and was one of the side’s best players through the finals series.
Grace Hartman’s second season with Donvale was one to remember, listed as the starting ruck in this year’s Team of the Year. Hartman was also awarded the award of best finals player as well as a top-four finish in the club’s best and fairest.
Both Nekaela Butler and Amelia Van Oosterwijck were recognised as the league’s best and fairest, second and third in the competition.
Best Win: Round 13 – Donvale 7.6 48 def. North Ringwood 7.4 46 @Donvale Reserve
The battle for the Minor Premiership.
Both sides were playing off for the top spot on the ladder with just two rounds remaining in the Home and Away season. The game certainly lived up to the expectations with a close four-quarter contest.
North Ringwood made the most of their early opportunities, kicking straight in front of goal. They led at the main change 5.1 31 to the Magpies 3.5 23.
Donvale were able to get a hold of the game defensively in the third term, keeping the Saints to just one behind as they took a four-point lead into the final quarter.
Two goals each in the final term made for a grandstand finish with the Magpies pulling through for a two-point win.
Teagan Bradley and Amelia Van Oosterwijck both finished with two goals each.
Off-Season Focus:
The Home and Away season proved how big of a force the Magpies are in this division.
Like the Senior Men’s group, maintaining the list will keep them in contention.
With Boronia likely to return to Division One, North Ringwood in the premiership window and the likes of East Ringwood and Knox pushing for a finals spot, it’s likely to be a very even race for the flag once again.
