Match Report | Duncan boots seven as Donvale stay on top

It was first versus second on Saturday Afternoon in a massive Division Three blockbuster between Donvale and Scoresby.

The old rivals from the 1990s faced off at Donvale Reserve with the Magpies of Donvale proving they’re still the team to beat in Division Three.

Donvale defeated Scoresby 17.10 112 to 14.9 93 in the sides first meeting since the 2022 season.

Despite the final margin being just 19-points, Donvale’s impressive first half saw them stretch the margin out to 51-points in the second term. Scoresby doubled Donvale’s clearances and had similar inside 50 numbers in the second quarter but it was the home side that capitalised, kicking six goals to two.

 A big part of their success was due to Ethan Duncan’s involvement up forward. In red-hot form, he finished the game with yet another seven-goal haul.

It’s the fourth time this season that Duncan has kicked seven goals or more from his opening seven matches.

At the other end of the ground, Adam Amin was just as dangerous when the Magpies were isolate him one-on-one in the forward half. The last two goals of the game saw Amin finish with six majors.

Donvale had 58% percentage of their scoring source coming off turnovers, capitalising with seven goals from midfield turnovers.

Scoresby were able to work their way back into the game in the second-half but the early deficit was too much to recover from. Jordan Camilleri was outstanding as the leading disposal getter on the ground, 34 disposals and a goal.

There’s plenty of similarities to the Donvale-Surrey Park rivalry of the 2024 season. Like the Panthers, Scoresby have come up to Division Three after a Division Four premiership and immediately entered the premiership conversation with a fantastic first half of the season.

It took Surrey Park four attempts to defeat Donvale last season, ultimately beating the Magpies in a thrilling two-point Grand Final win. They’ll use this game as a learning experience going forward.

As for Donvale, they know what it takes to get to the big dance in this division, having played in three consecutive Grand Finals. They also have a couple of key players to return to the line-up, including skipper James Rausa and ruckman Zac Haig.