By Josh Ward
Overview:
In 2019 they only just missed out on finals, but this year Donvale looked set to make their first finals appearance since the 2017 Division Four Premiership, but COVID ruined those plans.
Donvale finished in third with a 7-3 record, only 4.2% behind East Burwood in second and one game behind top of the table Warrandyte.
The Magpies had three players in the Division Three Team of the Year and four in the squad and could be set to be a challenger next year in a very even Division Three.
Best Win: Round 13 vs Ferntree Gully (Donvale 10.15.75 defeated Ferntree Gully 11.8.74)
The penultimate Eastland Match of the Round up in Donvale in 2021 and it was possibly the best of the lot as Donvale won a classic by the barest of margins in their top four clash against Ferntree Gully.
Losing to East Burwood two weeks prior and having the bye the week before and with the Eagles coming off two loses in a row, it was Donvale who got the fast start, leading 41-13 at QT, with Ferntree Gully dominating the final three quarters.
Donvale were down by 11 points with 25 minutes on the clock, it was from there that Billy McCormack came up big and kicked two goals to seal the win, picking up two votes and kicking four goals on the day, including the goal of the day.
Ethan Duncan picked up the Nena and Pasadena Player of the Match, however he didn’t pick up any B&F votes, with Jye Dulieu picking up one vote and Zac Haig the three votes as Donvale picked up a very impressive victory.
Worst Loss: Round 11 at East Burwood (Donvale 6.10.46 defeated by East Burwood 12.12.84)
It was the second matchup between the Rams and Magpies of 2021. Since East Burwood defeated Donvale at Donvale Reserve back in Round Two, the Magpies were 4-1 and the Rams 2-3 since that encounter.
After a tight first quarter, the Rams blew the game wide open in the second and third quarters, going on to win by 38 points at East Burwood Reserve and doing the sweep against fellow finals contenders Donvale.
Jai Middleton picked up the three votes, kicking two goals as well, with Matthew Mariani picking up two and youngster Dylan Simonella picking up one vote.
Brandon Kapakoulakis kicked three goals and was named in the best along with Nathan Mill, Nick Murphy, Jeremy Grocott and Adam Cameron, with Matthew Leardi named Donvale best as they went down yet again to the Rams.
Standout Player: James Rausa
The former Donvale junior had an outstanding 2021, being a consistent performer throughout the season in a very strong side.
He picked up 11 B&F votes and finished second in the Division Three count, only two behind winners Ryan Phillips and Paul Chadwick. Rausa got two BOGs in both wins against Waverley Blues.
He was named in Donvale’s best every game he played bar two and was named on the bench in the Division Three Team of the Year.
Offseason Plans:
It’s a fairly strong Donvale side, particularly down back and midfield, and I do see them looking to mainly retain their core group of players for 2022.
One thing they could improve on is their attack. They found their straps the last two rounds, but they were still very inaccurate in 2021, averaging 11.1 behinds and 10.7 goals per game. That’s 49.1% accuracy in front of goal, which isn’t a greatest return.
Nic Murphy is still a superstar up forward and Billy McCormack showed the last two games he has unbelievable potential in the forward line, but if they want to improve they need a forward who’ll take advantage of any opportunity he gets.
Women’s:
Overview:
I was a rather disappointing 2021 for Donvale after finishing 5th in Premier Division in 2019 and winning the Division Two premiership in 2018.
They did finish fifth, but that was bottom this year, with only two wins and eight losses in a very even Premier Division.
Only had one in the Premier Division Team of the Year and three in the squad and will look to improve in 2022.
Best Win: Round 10 vs Chirnside Park Black (Donvale Black 5.5.35 defeated Chirnside Park Black 4.5.29)
Coming up against a side that had humbled them a month before and coming into the game 1-6, not many would’ve thought Donvale would win against third placed Chirnside Park.
However, the Magpies were on their game that day and managed to pull off a massive surprise and win by a straight kick at Donvale Reserve.
Superstar forward Monica Latino was dazzling yet again, kicking two goals to add to her three the previous week against Vermont as well as picking up the three votes for Donvale.
Neakela Butler picked up two votes and Chirnside Park star Ashleigh Allsopp got one vote as Donvale picked up their second win of 2021 whilst putting a major dent into the Panthers top two chances.
Worst Loss: Round 3 vs South Croydon Blue (Donvale Black 1.6.12 defeated by South Croydon Blue 14.7.91)
The Magpies headed into this game off the back of their first win of 2021 against Whitehorse and South Croydon having not won a game so far. However, it was the Bulldogs who gave Donvale an absolute trouncing and got their first win in the women’s Premier Division.
They blew them away in the second and fourth, kicking 59-3 in both quarters and running away with a 79 point victory at Donvale Reserve.
Katie Shanahan was superb on the day, kicking five on the day and being named in the best, with Sarah O’Toole, Taylah Black and Brooke Curren picking up the 3-2-1 votes for South Croydon.
Donvale’s best were Nekaela Butler, Tess Spillane, Shannon Fraser, Samantha Schnabel, Taylah Di Staso and Courtney Jones-Hughes as Donvale recorded the biggest loss in the club’s women’s football history.
Standout Player: Nekaela Butler
An honourable mention to Monica Latino, who was outstanding yet again for Donvale, kicking 12 goals in 10 games. But it’s ex-Richmond AFLW player Nekaela Butler who was the standout for the Magpies.
The former GWV Rebels, Western Bulldogs VFLW and Horsham Demons player was very consistent, particularly towards the backend of 2021.
She picked up six votes in the Premier Division B&F count, the most for a Donvale player, with her only BOG coming against Vermont in the last round. Looks set to be a massive part of Donvale’s future.
Offseason Plans:
It is a very talented Donvale women’s line-up, but one thing the Magpie women do need is some reassurance down back.
Now since that 2018 Premiership season where they only conceded 13.5 points per game, they’ve conceded 40.6 points in 2019 and 63.8 points per game in 2021.
They’ll focus on re-signing their core group, particularly the likes of Monica Latino and Nekaela Butler, but one thing that could come in handy is some reliable players down back.
