EFNL 2021: Donvale produces spirited win after heavy injury toll

It was drama aplenty for depleted Donvale in the Eastern league’s Division 3 on Saturday, as it pulled off a tight win under bizarre circumstances.

Brandon Kapakoulakis takes a kick for the Magpies on Saturday. Picture: Steve Tanner

It was decimated by injury, but that didn’t stop Donvale from snaring one of the matches of the Division 3 season on Saturday.

The Magpies survived a late scare from the Glen Waverley Hawks to climb their way into the top four, winning 12.7 (79) to 11.8 (74).

And there were personnel aplenty missing.

Senior coach Kevin Collins was absent due to an AFL engagement for Gold Coast-listed son, Sam, on his 50th match – and in stepped assistant coach Justin Goldsmith to take the reins.

But the move into the hot-seat was anything but seamless.

Assistant coach Justin Goldsmith oversaw the Magpies’ thrilling win on Saturday in the absence of senior coach Kevin Collins. Picture: Steve Tanner

A heavy injury toll hit the Magpies in the opening term, with inside midfielder Karl Toce (calf), half-back Michael Whitbourn (corky) and outside midfielder David Holland (hamstring tightness) all sidelined.

And defender Nathan Mill was taken to hospital with concussion.

Despite the missing names, Donvale raced out to a 20-point lead at quarter time, before answering the Hawks’ second-quarter challenge in the third to lead by 27 points at the final change.

But the sharpshooting Hawks turned on 7.0 to the Magpies’ 3.2 in the last quarter, as the depleted hosts felt the pinch of no rotations.

“We basically didn’t have a bench after quarter time,” Goldsmith said.

“That was really difficult to try and put a gap between us and them and we knew they were going to back themselves to come back.

“We were getting pretty fatigued, and you could hear them (Glen Waverley Hawks) willing themselves on, and they didn’t miss in the last quarter.

“It was about 90 seconds to go when they got within a kick … we were fortunate to hang on, but in many ways, it was a really gutsy win.”

The Magpies’ caretaker coach made special mention of the midfield brigade’s resolve, while key forward Nick Murphy booted five majors.

Nick Murphy was on fire again on Saturday following four goals the week prior. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“Our two midfielders – (Kyle) Wignell and (Matt) Leardi were just enormous, but they were fatiguing pretty badly in the last quarter, as they’d run the whole game on the ball, same with our ruckman (Zac Haig),” Goldsmith said.

“(Murphy) was terrific and really made the most of his opportunities as well – he’s going to be a handful.”

Up the other end, Hawks spearhead Adam Amin bagged eight to take his season total to 27 from five matches.

The host of injured names from Saturday’s clash aren’t expected to be sidelined long-term, but Goldsmith is “hopeful” of inside midfielder James Rausa returning after he missed the match.

And while Goldsmith lamented a growing injury list this season, he said the Magpies sitting in fourth position was a major morale booster under trying circumstances.

Donvale hosts top-of-the-table Warrandyte this weekend.

“It builds belief that you can win through adversity, we just haven’t been able to get any continuity,” Goldsmith said.

“The positive is we’re 4-2 and in a reasonable position and hopefully we have a bit of luck (with injury) in the second half of the year.

“If we can knock Warrandyte over, it puts us in a pretty good position.”