Dons down Tigers to stay in hunt for finals

Donnybrook are still in the race for finals after a 28-point upset win over reigning premiers South Bunbury at Hands Oval on Sunday.

The Dons were too strong in the second half and claimed an emphatic 10.15 (75) to 6.11 (47) victory.

South Bunbury got little out of their forwards for the day, with a 50m penalty gifting Jaxon Bell their only goal for the opening quarter.

The Dons trailed by a solitary point at the first break after Todd Gregory kicked a goal after the siren.

Both teams were often struggling to hold their feet due to the wet conditions.

Reece Ralston quickly put the Dons in front with a clever goal and the likes of Kieran Hug, Sam Lowrie, ruckman Brendan Page and second-gamer Justin Pittaway were giving the Dons first use of the ball at the contest.

Jonathon Dix followed his five-goal debut last week with two majors midway through the second term to keep the Tigers in touch on the scoreboard.

The Dons set up their win in the third quarter despite being wasteful and kicking just two goals from seven shots.

It was tight defence that kept the Tigers to four behinds for the term and ultimately goalless for a quarter and a half.

Kurt Cadman and Hayden Krikke kicked goals inside five minutes of the last term and the Dons suddenly were just eight points up and the Tigers were fighting back.

With their experienced players in Lowrie, Hug and Page all rising to the occasion, the Dons did not panic.

Captain Shane Cristaldi and Jacob Kendle led the defence and the Dons soon steadied.

Gregory, who had struggled to hold his footing all game popped up with two strong marks close to goal to take his tally to four goals and stretch the lead to 22 points half way through the quarter.

Damon Bull was gifted a consolation goal courtesy of a 50m penalty but a great snap from Hug late in time on and a long bomb from Luke Dale gave the Dons the four points.

Scoreboard

Donnybrook 1.2, 4.5, 6.9, 10.15 (75) def South Bunbury 1.3, 3.5, 3.9, 6.11 (47)

GOALS: Donnybrook - T. Gregory 4, S. Beal 2, S. Lynch, L. Dale, B. Page, K. Hug. South Bunbury - J. Dix 3, H. Krikke, J. Bell, D. Bull.

BEST: Donnybrook - S. Lowrie, K. Hug, B. Page, S. Beal, J. Kendle, T. Gregory. South Bunbury - K. Cadman, H. Dix, D. Bull, J. Wright, A. Hams.