Wimmera-Mail Times | DONALD has progressed to the North Central Football League preliminary final in a fortnight’s time after it survived a late charge from Birchip-Watchem on Saturday, claiming a thrilling four-point semi-final win.
The Royal Blues were aware of their poor first terms in 2015 and were obviously keen to reverse that trend in the cut-throat match.
Three goals to nothing in the opening term set the tone for an impressive first half for Donald, as it led by 20 points at the first change and by 21 at the main interval.
Poor kicking from the Bulls prevented them from being closer in what was a see-sawing encounter.
Birchip-Watchem had five behinds to its name before it could register a major score.
Paul Messer goaled twice in the second and Matt Gilmore cut the margin to a goal midway through the term, but the Royal Blues finished stronger to restore their early advantage.
A goal to Brody Haddow at the beginning of the third quarter gave Donald a 27-point lead – its biggest for the match.
But four straight goals to the Bulls – including two on the bounce to Messer – allowed Birchip-Watchem to close to within three points.
A late major to Jackson Hogan gave the Royal Blues a nine-point lead at the final change.
Both sides exchanged majors at the beginning of the final term, with Donald kicking two of the first three to see the margin flick from 15 to nine and back to nine points.
With only five goals scored in a frantic fourth quarter, the Bulls kicked three goals to two and finished with a flourish, thanks to John Barnard and Matt Gilmore.
The margin stood at four points when the final siren sounded, with Donald hanging by a thread to the 11.10 (76) to 10.12 (72) win.
The Royal Blues were set up beautifully by Seamus Young, who kicked six first-half goals.
Daniel Pearce was sublime all day as coach and league best and fairest winner Luke Fisher led from the front.
For the Bulls, Paul Messer stood tall when he was most needed, but could not drag his side across the line.
Zach Holmes was Birchip-Watchem’s best player.
St Arnaud will take on Charlton on Saturday afternoon in the second semi-final.
