By Josh Ward.
The Donvale men were able to go one step further in Division 3 this year whilst the women’s were competitive in their return to Premier Division.
Senior Men’s (Division Three)
Ladder Position: 1st (17-1, 192.75%)
Leading Goalkicker: Nic Murphy (55 goals in 19 matches)
Best and Fairest: James Rausa
Summary:
They were the dominant side all year in Division 3 and the Magpies were rewarded with a sixth EFNL senior premiership and a first since their 2017 success in Division 4.
Putting the heartbreak of 2022 behind them from the word go they started to build form as the season went on and come finals time they were peaking having kicked 100+ points in six of their last nine games in 2023.
Their form continued in the first week of finals with a 13 goal to one second half against Ferntree Gully paving the way for a second consecutive Grand Final appearance at Jubilee Park.
They would meet the Eagles again on the biggest day of them all, piling on a similar score and restricting them to just six goals on their way to a deserved premiership for the club.
Key Players:
2023 will be a season captain James Rausa won’t be forgetting anytime soon. A dominant force in midfield once again he would add another club B&F & Team of the Year mention as well as a Grand Final BOG medal and the Perc James Medal to an already growing resume.
Team of the Year forward duo Matt Day and Nic Murphy were unstoppable, combining for 98 goals between them whilst Nathan Mill and Max Otten held the fort in defence. Kyle Wignell and Mitch Brouwer provided solid support for Rausa in midfield also.
Best Win: Round 1 – Donvale 13.14.92 defeated Warrandyte 14.5.89
Whilst many will think their Grand Final win is as good as it gets, their opening round victory at Warrandyte was equally as impressive.
Up against a near full strength Warrandyte side who they had defeated in the preliminary final in 2022 the Magpies got off to a fast start similar to the prelim, kicking seven of the first eight goals of the match to lead by just under 40 points in the early stages of the second term.
It was almost deja vu for them though when the Bloods mounted a comeback and were able to cut the margin back down to single digits at the start of the last quarter. With time on presenting many twists and turns it was Kaleb Djordevic who came up clutch and won the opening match after the siren.
It was Murphy and Ethan Duncan that were the main men up forward with a combined eight goals whilst captain Rausa was at his best through midfield alongside Blackburn recruit Mitch Brouwer.
Off-Season Focus:
You’d expect there to be not as much movement as the last offseason for the Vales this time around after they were able to recruit strongly before 2023.
They’ve already locked up Kevin Collins for another year, with the Team of the Year coach having done a terrific job since returning and being key to the upward trajectory of the club.
If they’re able to keep the list they currently have as well as potentially gain even more talent, who’s to say the Vales won’t get back-to-back Division 3 premierships in 2024?
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 7th (1-11, 35.88%
Leading Goalkicker: Monica Latino (16 goals in 12 matches)
Best and Fairest: Jess Crundall
Summary:
Donvale made its return to the top division of the EFNL women’s competition in 2023. And whilst it wasn’t as successful as their 2022 season in Premier B they still showed plenty of promise on return.
After an initial slow start the Vales started to feel right at home near the halfway point and became a much more competitive side, pushing finals contenders such as SBL Wolves, Mt Evelyn and Whitehorse right to the line.
Eventually they broke through for their first and only win of 2023 against Vermont at home before putting together some solid performances against the top three to end the season.
Key Players:
Jess Crundall’s flair and dash off half back was on full show and was rewarded with another Team of the Year selection as well as a club Best and Fairest.
Nekaela Butler also returned with aplomb, providing dash and creativity through midfield. The experienced Monica Latino was also back to her clinical best up forward with plenty more goals.
Best Win: Round 11 – Donvale 8.5.53 defeated Vermont Purple 6.6.42
The only win for the Magpies women’s side saw it come at the moment where they were starting to hit some form and against a finals contender in Vermont.
Kicking three goals to one in the opening quarter, they were able to keep it at that margin for the rest of the game and hold on in a high scoring affair whilst putting a massive dent in Vermont’s slim finals chances.
Monica Latino was again the star of the show up forward, adding another four goals to her tally. Jasmine D’Amato was also there to support her with two.
Off-Season Focus:
Whilst it was a much different lineup this year to their 2022 season it was still a young lineup which continued to improve as the year went on.
With at least six games under their belt the likes of Jade McCormack, Jasmine D’Amato, Lauren Knowles, Taya Fittolani and Grace Hartman will be better for the experience.
If they’re able to keep that core as well as add a touch of experience then the Vales women’s side will only continue to improve no matter the Division they compete in.
Juniors
The Donvale Juniors had 3 sides in 2023. They fielded an Under 9s, Under 14s and an 16s side. The Under 14s side lost in a close elimination final, with star player Joshua Djordevic again winning the Under 14s C grade EFNL league best and fairest award.
In the Under 16 Donvale finished 2nd after the home and away season. The then progressed to the preliminary final where they bowed out to Kilsyth. Star player James Powney also won the EFNL league best and fairest for the division.
So with some strong players coming through the junior ranks the future of Donvale looks very bright.