No away strip in Royal Blues v Blues up the bush

Spent a few days at Donald recently, in the heart of the Mallee, it being the location of the famous Bullocks Head tree, also being at the centre of the right wing, White Army mobilisation of March 6 1931. Whilst there why not go to the footy, and see a classic North Central League encounter. Donald played Charlton, the Donald Royal Blues v the Charlton Blues. Prior to this match neither side had set the world on fire in 2012, Donald being 6th on the 7 team ladder, losing by 61 points to Wycheproof-Narraport the previous week, the 4th place Charlton copping a 53 point defeat to Wedderburn. Come Saturday afternoon, 12/5 we rolled up to the ground, parked the car and awaited the action.

In this clash of the Royal Blues v the Blues there was none of the commercialised AFL nonsense of away strips, the vistors Charlton, wore white shorts. It was good, old style footy, free from the marketing hype.

Charlton were on top early, leading at 1/4 time 3-1 to 2-3, increasing by 1/2 time to a lead of 11 point 6-3 to 4-4. After half time it turned around, with Donald holding Charlton goalless in the second half.  A big final term by Donald in which they added 5-8 to 2 points saw them win  by 50 points. Final scores being13-14-92 to 6-6-42.

For Donald, Blake Grant, Ross Funcke, Thomas Bell, and Jackson Hogan all impressed, Grant winning a lot of the hard ball, and topping it of with 2 majors.  He seemed the most impressive of the victorious. Number 58, the Football Recorder said was Jackson Hogan took a great mark in the opening term. For Charlton the McGraths, James and Joe performed well, as did Joe Mclean.

Post match it was of to the Mt Jeffcott for a few chilled refreshments, than across the road to the Bullocks Head, nee Shamrock, for a nice counter meal, and 1 or 2 cold bevvies to wash it down. All in all a good time was had by all, and look forward to our next visit to the friendly Mallee tawn of Donald.

Glen!

 

Comments

  1. Mic Rees says

    Glen – Any luck with the horses that day?

    Ross Funke, there’s a blast from the past. He’d be in his mid 30’s these days. Spent time with Nth Ballarat in the VFL between his AFL stints with the Tigers and Dees.

    MCR

  2. Hello Michael, yes there were races at Donald on Sunday, but for circumstances beyond my control i did not get there. Finished up back down at the Mt Jeffcott, watching the last 3 from Donald on the TV in their. No collects at Donald, but did OK @ Queanebeyan, and Cranbourne, so broke even for the day. Donald is a nice little town, a place i recommend.

    Glen!

  3. John Harms says

    The great mare (ours) Courting Pleasure who is the glue that holds Memoirs of a Mug Punter together won at Donald over 1200m.

    So I also love Donald.

  4. Good reort Glen. Donald is a town with a lot of spirit and community support Would love to know how many” imports” the teams have. Country footy in SA rely on them and I know Walpeup /Underbool in the Mallee League run a mini- bus from Adelaide each Friday to supplement their teams

  5. Hi David, sorry i’m unsure what imports. The only player i saw on Saturday was Ross Funcke. I know beyond that Corey Jones is playing North Central Football League, for Wycheproof Narraport.

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