Dons mark a milestone by beating Dogs

Donnybrook recorded its fourth-straight and probably most impressive win when they defeated reigning premiers Bunbury by 17 points to claim the Peter Betti Cup at VC Mitchell Park on Saturday.

With the Dons’ 1998 premiership heroes watching on before their 20th anniversary reunion, the home side used their all-round pressure to record a 10.6 (66) to 7.7 (49) victory.

Brad Epis, who has been in good form recently as a tagger, took a couple of strong marks in the first 10 minutes of the game, before kicking goals to give Donnybrook the quick start.

The Dons did not turn the dominance around the ground into scoreboard pressure until Sam Lowrie and Sean Lynch both kicked two goals each in the second term.

The Bulldogs took until the five-minute mark of the second quarter to open their scoring, when Luke Wright kicked a goal.

Just two goals for the half led to an impressive spray from coach Jamie Nani and it worked to some extent as the Bulldogs won their share of the ball.

When Brett Peake used his pace and skill to kick a long-range goal, the Bulldogs lifted.

Bunbury’s Cullen Boyd and Tyson Wood were prominent in the ruck, but were well countered by former Eaton Boomers Jace Cormack and Chris Atthowe at ground level, with the pair reading the opposition’s taps well.

Two goals late in the third quarter had the Bulldogs within 20 points at the final change and considering the Dons’ only score in the third came from a 50m penalty, the game was set up for a thrilling final term.

Brett Eades did his best Peter Daicos impersonation to get the first of the quarter for Donnybrook, while an easy goal from Atthowe settled the Dons, but the Bulldogs kept coming.

Peake kicked his third, but a string of points stymied their efforts to bridge the gap.

Lowrie went into defence and managed to hold off the Bulldogs on several occasions and the visitors’ faint hopes were finally dashed when an indiscretion by Ryan Davis at half forward saw a free kick reversed.

Cormack was adjudged the winner of the Peter Betti Medal as the Dons regained the cup.

Scoreboard

Donnybrook 2.4 7.4 8.4 10.6 (66) def Bunbury 0.0 2.0 5.2 7.7 (49)

GOALS: Donnybrook - B. Epis, S. Lowrie, S. Lynch 2, C. Dickinson, T. Gregory, B. Eades, C. Atthowe. Bunbury - B. Peake 3, L. Wright, B. Fraser, C. Boyd, K. Bassett.

BEST: Donnybrook - J. Cormack, C. Atthowe, S. Lynch, S. Lowrie, S. Cristaldi, R. Giudici, S. Beal. Bunbury - T. Justins, B. Peake, C. Boyd, T. Gray, L. Wright, J. Gribble.