Vales exorcise Grand Final demons with convincing triumph

By Josh Ward.

Donvale have broken through the damn wall that had built over the past few years after defeating The Basin in Saturday afternoon’s Division 3 Grand Final by 74 points at Wally Tew Reserve.

Following years of heartache on the big stage, the Magpies were able to break through for its first premiership in three years with a 15.17 (107) to 5.3 (33) win over the Bears.

It added to a hugely successful day for Donvale as its reserves won a fourth consecutive flag whilst the seniors ensured a return to the third tier of the senior men’s competition for the first time since 2018.

Skipper James Rausa starred yet again on the big stage, winning his second Best on Ground award on Grand Final day to add to an already stacked resume.

Donvale stalwart Nick Murphy was also excellent, finishing the day with six goals and providing a presence yet again in attack.

Kyle Wignell and Billy McCormack were also excellent alongside Jonathan Vathakos who set the tone in the first half alongside Rausa in midfield.

For the Bears, a promising season comes to an end in disappointing fashion. They were well served by Nic Hallo who, despite having some quiet patches, still showed his class and attack with ball in hand and at the contest.

Bailey Syswerda also had an excellent game in defence, keeping the returning Ethan Duncan to just one goal on the day.

That goal for Duncan, who had only played one senior game to date this season, came in the opening three minutes of the game as the Vales looked to set the tone early.

Gaining most of the territory, the Bears defence held up well alongside Donvale’s defence who made it tough for a Basin forward line that was without Connor Edwards.

Some cracks started to form in the Bears wall though in time on, which allowed Donvale to kick three late goals to enter quarter time up by 25 points having led by one straight kick for majority of the opening stanza.

Joel Perry’s defence had to once again hold steady as the Vales came charging in the opening 10 minutes of the second term.

They were able to do so, conceding four behinds in that period, before kicking three of the next four goals to reduce their deficit to 16 points.

A long bomb from Tobi Wiertzyk then made it a 10-point differential before Charlie Kent responded with a 55 metre goal to keep Donvale’s advantage at 16 points heading into the main break.

An arm wrestle then started to ensue in the third term as both sides jostled for momentum and territory, knowing how crucial that first goal of the quarter would be.

It was Donvale that would kick that first goal after the siren, breaking the Bears spirits after they had fought hard to keep the margin manageable for the majority of the quarter.

All the anger and heartbreak of the past two years was then let out in the final term by the Vales, who kicked four goals in the opening eight minutes to all but seal a third premiership since returning from recess.

They then added another four goals between the 11 and 24 minute marks, ensuring that this Grand Final would be just as big a margin as their 2023 premiership win was.