EFL 2018: Doncaster announces itself as a genuine premiership contender with a 38-point win over Vermont

DONCASTER has announced itself as a genuine Eastern Football League premiership contender after a 38-point win over Vermont, leaving the Eagles with some soul searching to do.

DONCASTER is the real deal.

For the second consecutive week, the Sharks reeled in a second-half deficit to finish full of running to topple a flag fancy and stamp themselves as a legitimate premiership contender.

Doncaster slammed home 11 goals to two in the second half against Vermont at Terrara Rd on Saturday to power away with a 38-point triumph.

Vermont coach Harmit Singh addresses his options. Picture: Davis Harrigan

After the Round 12 win over South Croydon, Doncaster coach Andrew Tranquilli said his side was playing with confidence and belief.

“We know we’re a side that can compete with the best, we know we have our ups and downs but when we’re switched on and we’ve got the right kids in the mix with the senior players, we know the belief is there,” Tranquilli said.

“You play the game hoping you can go all the way but it gives us the belief that if we can get to some kind of dance towards the end of the year, and hopefully we will, we’ll put our best foot forward.”

Doncaster coach Andrew Tranquilli. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Although the Eagles remain atop the Eastern Football League Division 1 ladder on percentage, the defeat means they are 1-3 against top-five sides in 2018.

And with games to come against Rowville, South Croydon and Blackburn in the final month of the regular season, Vermont is no surety of a top-three finish.

The 16.9 (105) to 10.7 (67) result leaves the premiership race wide open, with the top five likely to be separated by just a game when Rowville meets Montrose next weekend in the split Round 14.

Doncaster trailed by 19 points early in the third quarter when Jack O’Keefe threaded the eye of the needle from the boundary in front of the primary school.

But the Eagles grinded to a halt, managing just one more goal for the game as the Sharks took control to pull off a 23-point turnaround in the third quarter.

Seven goals to one in the final term sealed the win, leaving Vermont with some soul searching to do before its Round 15 clash against Rowville.

Nick Komen flies for a mark. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The comeback was led by midfield maestro Chris Annakis, who delivered another sublime performance to guide the Sharks to their 10th win of the season.

His three-vote showing was supported by four goals from Jake Kalanj, while Blair Whelan kept dangerous forward Jake Best to just one goal and spearhead Brett Eddy was also restricted to just one major.

Kirby McConnon kicked three goals in the first half but he was also shut out of the game after halftime by David Molloy.

Ewan ‘Frankie’ McKenzie was typically full-hearted in the ruck in his 100th game, while Todd Vander Haar was also instrumental in intercepting Vermont’s thrusts forward.

But the victory was soured when Angelo Rambaldi was taken to hospital after the game with concussion.

Doncaster’s next game will be against North Ringwood at Schramms Reserve on August 4.