EFNL 2021: Donvale edges Ferntree Gully in come-from-behind win

Donvale came from the clouds to defeat the Gully in a classic on Saturday – led by a match-winning display from a VFL-listed tall.

Very little separated Donvale and Ferntree Gully on Saturday. Picture: Davis Harrigan

It looked down and out deep into time-on of Saturday’s clash.

But as Donvale has come to prove time and again this season – it cannot and should not be written off.

The Magpies trailed Ferntree Gully by 10 points at the 26-minute-mark of the final term in the 4 v. 2 clash, before a final surge proved enough to edge the visitors, 10.15 (75) to 11.8 (74).

Even Donvale senior coach Kevin Collins had begun to lament what looked a lost opportunity at a victory, after his charges piled on six opening term goals to one to lead by 28 points.

But that was before Frankston VFL-listed tall Billy McCormack snared the match-winners within seconds of one-another, to seal the Division 3 nail-biter.

McCormack flies for a grab on Saturday. Picture: Davis Harrigan

“They (Ferntree Gully) were in control … I was on the bench rehearsing ‘Why did we lose this game?’ and the character of the players came through which was good,” Collins said.

“We had seven shots on goal in the last quarter … but just couldn’t jag it in perfect conditions. We hung in there and got two quick goals – Billy McCormack took two great grabs.

“There was some really good work by Scotty (Heveren) off the half-back flank and midfielders through (James) Rausa and ‘Wigga’ (Kyle Wignell) who got the ball out in a couple of really quick plays and in 30 seconds of footy we got two goals.”

It marked the third time this season Donvale had won by five points or less after answering a final-quarter challenge from its opponent.

Donvale coach Kevin Collins on Saturday. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The Magpies edged the Waverley Blues in Round 1 after trailing by 18 points midway through the final quarter, before they withstood a fast-finishing Glen Waverley Hawks in Round 7.

Midfielder James Rausa, who finished among Donvale’s best on Saturday, puts it down to belief.

“I think the boys have got a lot of belief that we can match it with any team,” Rausa said.

“If we find ourselves down and out, we can still find something and keep pushing through – it seems like it’s worked.

“We’ve got away with three pretty big wins – three wins by under five points. There’s a lot of belief within the club that we’re moving in the right direction.”

McCormack also finished among the ‘Pies best with four majors, alongside Guy Lamond and Kyle Wignell, while Wayne McInerney bagged five in a best-on-ground performance for the visitors.

The result sent Donvale into third position on the ladder, while Ferntree Gully dropped from second to fifth.

“It was a tough game, one of the better games of footy we’ve been involved in … they’re (Ferntree Gully) a really good team and showed a really good work-rate,” Collins said.

“Anyone who paid the eight bucks to watch it got their money’s worth.”