Ringwood Mazda 2026 Season Review | Donvale
By Christopher Kourtis.
The wait is over, Donvale have finally broken down the door to Division Two after their premiership triumph.
SENIOR MEN’S
Ladder position: 1st (14-2, 256.52%)
Best and Fairest: Billy McCormack
Leading goal kicker: Nick Murphy (56 goals)
In their first season under senior coach Daniel Michelangeli, Donvale finally earned promotion with a big win on Grand Final Day at Wally Tew Reserve.
The Magpies made their intentions known early, winning their first six games by an average of 136 points. Although they’d dominated early in previous years, this time it was different, scoring 200 points on three separate occasions.
Michelangeli’s men beat every team in the competition, only dropping games to Upper Ferntree Gully and The Basin – all three teams were only separated by four points at the end of the home-and-away season.
Donvale won a close second semi-final against The Basin by twelve points before dismantling that same side in the Grand Final.
A 74-point win in the decider, the monkey off the back, and the Magpies locked themselves in for a place in Division Two in 2027.
Best Win: Grand Final – Donvale 15.17-107 def. 5.3-33 The Basin @ Walley Tew Reserve
The biggest win of the season came on the biggest day of the season.
A strong start to the game, the Magpies were challenged throughout the game by the Bears. In front by 28 points after three quarters, the Magpies stormed home with a 52-6 fourth quarter.
James Rausa was awarded the best on ground medal, polling 32 disposals, 20 contested possessions and thirteen score involvements.
Nick Murphy led the goal kickers with six goals.
Key players:
The Division Three Team of the Year told the story of Donvale’s dominance. Billy McCormack earned the ruck spot, averaging fifteen disposals and 48 hitouts. The big man also won the club best and fairest award in his first season back.
Luke Marriner was fourth in the league goal-kicking charts - his 53 goals landing him a spot in the full-forward line. James Fisher made the TOTY wing with his 23 disposals and 1.7 goals a game, followed by teammate Kyle Wignell’s (INT) 18 disposals and 1.6 goal assists.
What’s next?
Not a lot has to change for a side that was clearly a cut above Division Three. They need to keep the core together once again and look to add a few pieces here and there. Kaleb Djordevic returns from Balwyn, which is an exciting way to get things going as the club looks towards Division Two.
NETBALL
The Donvale Magpies were the pick of the bunch, winning the Division One Grand Final by sixteen points. The side finished fifth in Prem One Division before defeating the same Coldstream side that they lost the Semi Final to, securing premiership glory. Sophie Moore was the club best and fairest, joining teammate Lauren Green in the Team of the Year.
Zana Rexhapi led Donvale Green with a best and fairest award, and the club finished eleventh after a three-win season in Prem One Division. In Division Four, Donvale Black managed wins against Montrose and Park Orchards to finish one spot off the bottom. Tyana Bennett was crowned best and fairest as Sophie Cookes was listed as the TOTY centre.
Donvale White finished seventh in Division Five, with best and fairest winner Chloe Brown (GD) joined by teammate Cassidy Rees (WD) in the Team of the Year. In Division Six, Donvale Grey only managed one win, finishing last. Grace Mullenger was a bright spark for the side, named best and fairest to go with a TOTY interchange spot.
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