Worsfold’s nephew in seventh heaven

A strong first half was enough for Donnybrook to defeat Carey Park by 21 points at VC Mitchell Park on Sunday.

And it was the nephew of 2000 Hayward Medallist Peter Worsfold in Jacob Green who kick started the home side, booting five of his seven goals in the first quarter of the Dons’ 11.14 (80) to 8.11 (59) win.

Carey Park started quickly and had two goals on the board in the first five minutes through East Fremantle-recruit Jake Schleicher and captain Chris McMillan.

The Dons soon settled though and began winning the ball out of the middle, setting Green up to kick the home side’s first five goals of the game.

Donnybrook ruckman Ray Guidici combined well with midfielders Kieran Hug and Sean Lynch, as the trio set about dominating the clearances.

Carey Park’s effort was there, but constant turnovers had their defence under constant pressure, with Brandon Yarran and Jake Thurston doing well to keep the Dons to just nine goals in the first half.

Inaccurate kicking cost Donnybrook the bigger lead, but they had momentum going into the half-time break and looked as if they would complete a simple win.

This was not to be though as the Panthers re-emerged from the changerooms with exuberance and a desire to hunt the football, evening the contests and winning their fair share.

The Panthers kept the Dons to just two second half goals, while kicking the final four of the match, including two classy finishes by McMillan as well as a running goal from Kelvin Lawrence.

Donnybrook coach Julian Burgess said he felt his side lacked composure in the second half.

“They had done a tonne of work in the first two and a half quarters,” he said.

“We will touch on that during the week.”

Burgess praised the efforts of youngsters Dion and Joel Parker and Reece Ralston, who all contributed well throughout the game.

Donnybrook 6.2, 9.7, 10.11, 11.14, (80)

Carey Park 3.4, 3.6, 4.9, 8.11 (59)

Goals: Donnybook – J. Green 7, S. Lynch 2, R. Ralston, J. Oliver. Carey Park – C. McMillan 3, M. King, A. Hill, Z. Verhaaf, J. Schleicher, K. Lawrence.

Best: Donnybrook – J. D’Vaus, J. Green, K. Hug, S. Lynch, R. Guidici, C. Miller. Carey Park – J. Thurston, B. Golowyn, J. Schleicher , J. O’Mara, C. McMillan, B. Yarran.