EFNL 2021: Blackburn overcomes gallant Doncaster East in Round 1 thriller

Young guns spearheaded Blackburn’s narrow victory to kick off 2021 – but the win has come at a cost with a star name injured.

Mackenzie Doreian in action for Blackburn. Picture: Renato Vizzarri

It took until the dying stages for Blackburn to shake top-flight newcomer Doncaster East on Saturday – but the win has come at a cost with a star name injured.

The ‘Burners’ thrilling 12.7 (79) to 11.12 (78) victory came courtesy of two late goals from young guns Mackenzie Doreian and Matt Bartlett to overcome a spirited Lions outfit marking its first Premier Division outing.

Matt Bartlett in action for Blackburn. Picture: Davis Harrigan

But Blackburn is expected to be without star forward Jake Hammond for next Sunday’s blockbuster Anzac Day clash with South Croydon, following an ankle injury sustained in the first quarter.

The high-flyer came off the ground after sustaining the blow in the opening 10 minutes, before making an unsuccessful return to the field.

Star Lion Chris Phelan also came from the field midway through the first with a hamstring strain.

Doncaster East coach Steve Buckle said Phelan’s loss hurt after he was “flying early” finding plenty of the ball, with the severity of the injury yet to be confirmed.

With the Lions jumping the ‘Burners early kicking the opening three majors, they led at all changes including eight points at the main break and six at the final change.

But after capitalising on scoring opportunities in the last quarter kicking 3.3 to 2.2, Blackburn coach Brendan Allen said he was thrilled with his side’s resolve following Hammond’s loss and the Lions’ fight.

Jake Hammond sustained an ankle injury for the ‘Burners early in the piece.

“It was pleasing to get the win because they did have to fight real hard in that last quarter to get it done and it just shows the ticker that our boys possess, when it’s on the line they turn up and roll their sleeves up,” Allen said.

“Their (Doncaster East’s) top end is really good, and they came out breathing fire and we knew they would, unfurling the flag and first time in Premier Division.

“Our skills and ball movement came to the fore a bit, they were amped for the contest, but we were really scratchy.

“They (the winning goals) were absolute rippers – Doreian was pegged on the boundary line, checkside as he got pushed and it went through, and Matty Bartlett kicked a great stoppage goal.

“We just managed to shut the game down once we knew there was about a minute to go and fought tooth and nail to make sure they didn’t score – it could have gone either way.”

Buckle lamented the Lions’ wasted opportunities in front of goal late, with two set-shot chances in the final three minutes going begging.

Meanwhile, Blackburn’s new-look ruck division underwent a baptism of fire against ex-AFL Docker and Bomber Zac Clarke for the Lions with youngster Gav Low shouldering the majority of the responsibility, which Allen noted “competed really well”.

“We managed to scrap it out and Gav got his hands to a fair share of balls,” Allen said.

“He was one-out so it’s one of the first times he’s had to do that in his career, so we had Ryan Bathie chop him out for probably four to five minutes a quarter.”

Doreian and Bartlett led the scoring for the ‘Burners with two each, while ex-Carlton and St. Kilda big man Sam Rowe booted three for the Lions, alongside two apiece to James Appleby and Jack Sholakis.

Allen praised his side’s fitness in running the match out after the long lay-off, but has earmarked Doncaster East as one to look out for.

“In the first half, the 10 to 15 minute-mark of each of those quarters was when we started to hit the scoreboard a bit better, and that’s obviously when the game had some fatigue in it,” he said.

“Our fitness late in the quarters did show, but they’ll be a hard team to beat.”