EFL 2022: Doncaster ends Rowville’s unbeaten charge

The Sharks had their backs to the wall following a heavy loss, but responded by stunning the comp leader with its first defeat on Saturday.

And then there was none.

Doncaster handed Rowville its first loss of the season on Saturday, defeating the last-standing unbeaten outfit 10.10 (70) to 7.9 (51) in the Eastern league’s Premier Division.

The Sharks led from start to finish, holding the Hawks to just two goals to three-quarter time before the hosts cut a 46-point margin to 19 by the final siren.

It was an almighty response from a Doncaster side which had been belted to the tune of 113 points at the hands of Noble Park the week prior.

Hard-nut Jack Mahon finished among the Sharks’ best on Saturday. Picture: LB Photography

But Sharks coach Chris Annakis declared the heavy loss set the wheels in motion for the upset result, halting the ladder-leading Hawks’ 7-0 start.

“We had to respond and turn things around pretty quickly after the result from the weekend before,” Annakis said.

“We had a few heart-to-hearts (during the week) and really looked at ourselves in the mirror after the week we had – we had a great chance to respond against a great side.

“We knew to beat a quality side in Rowville that we had to have our defensive pressure right up from start to finish, so that was our focus going in.”

Box Hill-listed defender Campbell Tweedie took the honours for best afield for his game across half-back.

“He was great for us yesterday … he was accountable, locked down his man but also gave us plenty of drive and used the footy really well,” Annakis said.

“When you’ve got someone like Campbell who can use the ball and break some lines, it’s valuable.”

Meanwhile, Kyle Viccars finished with four goals as Rowville’s Mark Seedsman bagged three. Brock Coleclough finished the Hawks’ best.

Todd Vander Haar (right) kicked two majors for the Sharks alongside James Munks and Cody Stackelberg. Picture: LB Photography

Doncaster started the season 0-3 but has now won three of its past five matches heading into the Queen’s Birthday bye in 10th spot.

Annakis said the victory would lift his side’s confidence heading into the second half of the year.

“To go out and perform the way we did, we’ll go into the bye with some confidence and some momentum, we’re pretty happy,” he said.

“It comes at a great time, we know that our best footy is obviously now good enough, but it’s just about bringing that week in, week out for longer.”

Doncaster hosts Park Orchards in Round 9 while Rowville is away to Berwick.