By Josh Ward.
Whilst they’ve had their challenges, including a big injury list, Doncaster East got some reward for effort with their third win of the season.
The Lions ended a five game losing streak last weekend against Noble Park, winning by 20 points at the Pat Wright Senior Oval to even the ledger with the Bulls in season 2024.
After leading by just two points heading into the final break the Lions put their foot to the gas in the final term, kicking five goals to two to overrun the Bulls.
Senior coach Ryan James said on The Weekend Recovery that it was a nice feeling seeing the smiles on the players and fans faces following the win.
“It’s definitely (a great result). Obviously it’s been a bit of a challenging year, but the boys got reward for effort,” James said.
Ahead of the game Doncaster East made nine changes to the side, which has been a recurring theme for the side due to its heavy injury toll.
“On Saturday we were at player number 44 and 45. We’ve had high turnover, which is a positive in a way, we’ve got a lot of boys invested in trying to chase their footy.”
Among the inclusions included the return of ex-AFL Hawk and Bulldog Tim O’Brien who finished the game with five goals from 13 disposals.
“Every time he’s gotten out onto the park he’s been really good for us. Hopefully we can get a bit of a clear run with him for the back half of the year.”
Fellow ex-AFL players Taylin Duman and Tom Bell also had an impact at both ends of the ground, with Duman collecting another 33 disposals and Bell kicking four goals from 17 disposals.
It was one of Bell’s more influential performances to date this year. Despite this, the former Carlton and Brisbane man is still getting close to his numbers from his 2023 year according to James.
“Tom cops a fair bit of treatment most weeks. He’s had his moments like us all, but overall I thought he was really influential late in the game.”
Two senior debutants also took to the park for the Lions in Hugh White and Anthony Scardamaglia, with both being members of Doncaster East’s junior program.
“(Saturday) we had two 17-year-olds make their debut from Beverley Hills and we had another 17-year-old and 18-year-old from (there) as well.”
The side was also strengthened by the return of vice captain Jackson Green alongside Jake Whitling, Aaron Ceravolo and VFL players Luke Quaynor and Mitchell Ryan.
It could further be strengthened in the next couple of weeks with the return of some key names into the lineup.
“Chris Phelan, Nicholas Hay, Simon White, Lachlan Waddell and Liam Loverso will probably be available next week or the week after, so touch wood. We feel like we deserve a break and we might get that break (soon).”
The Lions take on East Ringwood this coming weekend at Zerbes Reserve before facing bottom two sides Norwood and Berwick ahead of their second break of 2024.
