General News
20 June, 2024
Big day dampeners: Royals lead the way
DONALD unleashed a devastating dampening at Donaldson Park on Saturday. In what was scripted to be a day of joy for celebrated Wedderburn and North Central icon Adam Postle, there were tears appearing in the Redbacks’ plan within minutes of the...
DONALD unleashed a devastating dampening at Donaldson Park on Saturday.
In what was scripted to be a day of joy for celebrated Wedderburn and North Central icon Adam Postle, there were tears appearing in the Redbacks’ plan within minutes of the opening bounce.
Donald gave a glimpse of its ability to tear opponents apart - big man Andrew Browne prowling the centre and popping up in defence, Jesse Wallin the terrier often thwarting opponents.
Noah Berry had the Royals with their first goal in under two minutes.
That stirred Wedderburn’s Tommy Campbell to slot the ball through after Jackson McEwen and Jayden Jones worked the turnovers.
Both sides were giving away the free near goal squares and going shot for shot.
Wedderburn was already starting to look frayed, not manning up and failing to link passages created in defence by Benaim and Postle.
A late Noah Furlong goal - again from a free - gave Wedderburn a two-point edge at the first break.
The Redbacks had their chances, many of them, early in the second term but could not convert.
It was Donald who broke the sale with goals to Trent Grant signalling the Royals were about to break away.
Josh Potter, Browne and Wallin were doing damage to the Wedderburn attack, turnovers happening easily as the Redbacks were a metre or two off their opponents.
Berry had an easy goal, standing alone and picking up a loose goal in the square.
Jamie Papalia followed suit soon after and Donald went to the main break 28 points up.
After missing opportunities in the draw against Boort a week earlier, the visiting Royals were not going to waste any opportunities at Donaldson Park.
Berry, Wallin, Grant, Browne, Blake Grant and Ryan Hards rammed home the advantage throughout the second half.
Joe Lockhart and Benaim battled for four quarters but the dominance of Browne at centre bounces gave the Royals too much momentum.
In the battle of 2025 merger partners, Wycheproof Narraport won by 58 points over Nullawil.
The clubs used their penultimate clash to announce they will be known as Calder United Lions next season.
Both clubs are now locked in battle with Wedderburn and Boort for fourth spot on the ladder.
The merged club will play at both Wycheproof and Nullawil next year with a hockey field to be built at Nullawil.
The Maroons have been hit with injuries to Jordan Humphreys, Matthew Wade and Dean Put while Travis Cloke lined up for a second game and kicked a single goal in Saturday’s clash with the Demons.