By Matt Fotia
Overview
A season that looked nailed on to be a by-the-by year turned into anything but for Doncaster, with the Sharks finishing 2021 with a new coach with club legend Chris Annakis announced as their new taskmaster following the departure of Stewart Kemperman.
On-field Doncaster finished up in 8th position after looking ropey early in the year, winning three of their nine games – all at home – despite being the competition’s lowest scorers.
At their best the Sharks were able to match with anyone in the division. At their worst, not so much.
Best Win – Doncaster 6.14(50) def Norwood 5.13(43)
In the first weekend back from the first of many interruptions to the 2021 season, Doncaster turned over Top Three aspirant Norwood on their home patch.
The Sharks had grabbed their first win before the lockdown in an impressive showing against Berwick and carried this momentum into their return, kicking four goals to none in the first term to lead by 21 points at quarter time.
The Sharks defensive solidity was at its best for almost the entirety of the afternoon following their fast start, keeping the Wooders goalless once again in the third quarter before Norwood threatened in the last with three quick goals.
Nicholas Komen was Doncaster’s best whilst VFL Listed Cody Stackleberg was one of six individual goal kickers in one of his three appearances for the Sharks in 2021.
Worst Loss – Doncaster 15.6(96) def by North Ringwood 15.11(101)
Doncaster jumped out to another big quarter time lead in this one, slotting eight goals to one in the opening term against fellow lower third side North Ringwood to lead by 44 points at the first change, but unlike their win over Norwood, the Sharks couldn’t keep the Saints at bay allowing Nahas’ side to chip away the lead.
A last quarter capitulation which saw North Ringwood kick seven goals to two to steal it with a last gasp winner from Gary Conyers.
Todd Van Der Haar was the standout performer on the ground for the Sharks, with the marking utility kicking eight goals, more than half of his season tally (15).
Star Player
When Doncaster managed to land Ex-Demon Jake Spencer from Aspley even they wouldn’t have imagined the level of dominance he would cast across the Premier Division.
Spencer, who at times looked like an immovable object in the ruck, played a key role in all of Doncaster’s victories and finished the season as the starting ruck in the Premier Division Team of the Year.
His standout performance was in the Sharks win over Berwick, with Spencer racking up the numbers of an inside midfielder to compliment his plethora of hit-outs. He’s already committed to go around again in 2022 and will be key to Annakis’ plans and Doncaster’s ambitions.
Off-Season
Like their inner eastern neighbours Balwyn, Doncaster need to focus on their next batch of players coming through. Unlike Balwyn, Doncaster don’t have the selling point of being a perennial premiership and finals contender, so Annakis and Co must find a way to make Schramms Reserve a desirable place to go.
On a smaller scale, a consistent goal-kicker is a key find. The Sharks were led by Van Der Haar with 15 goals for the season, whilst James Munks (11) and Kyle Viccars (10) were next best, with no real focal point standing out. Live-wire Chris Colombo certainly loves a goal – check out any of his celebrations – but doesn’t fill the role of the main man inside 50.
There are rumours floating around that Glen Waverley forward Adam Amin is on the market for a new club and whilst it would be a big step up for the noted Division Three goal fiend, Doncaster could do worse than signing the mercurial dead-eye from Central Reserve.