PROFILE
AFTER falling 21 points short of ending a 17-year premiership drought, the Royal Blues will be out for redemption in 2023.
Donald held a 15-point lead at half time of last year’s grand final and looked destined for glory – but it all fell apart with just three goals in the second half, leaving the Bulls to run away with the flag.
Six months on and Donald are back at the start of another campaign with Rohan Brown once again at the helm.
While a majority of the grand final side has been retained, Brody Haddow, Jordan Bath, Sam Griffiths and Scott Wood have all moved on.
Their losses have been balanced out, however, amid a focus on beefing up their midfield and forward line.
Keilor trio Jamie Papalia, Kieren Bell and Jesse Wallin will all likely run through the middle, while key forwards Sam Dunstan and Trent Grant will be welcomed home. Former VFL premiership player Steve Dennell is another confirmed starter, along with Drysdale running half back Chris Lynch.
With ruckman Shane Neaves set to return from injury, along with Daniel Pearce, Brown was bullish about Donald’s chances of going one step further this season.
But while the focus of recruiting has been about bolstering their attacking weapons, tightening up the defensive side of their game had been a pre-season training focus.
“We were 21 points off being premiers, so I don’t think we have to change too much,” Brown said.
“We have to get better defensively than we were last year and maybe mix it up a little bit more in the midfield, that’s all.
“When you just fall short in a grand final, you always look to self-analyse and ask where we got beaten and I think for us it was in the midfield and defensively.
“I think we move the ball pretty well, but we just have to sharpen up on getting the footy back – to beat quality sides like Birchip and Sea Lake, you need midfield depth and we’ve certainly focused on that.”
FROM THE COACH
“We’d be expecting to make the finals. It’s always tough though, you get to that last day and you just fall short and people always say you’ll be thereabouts again, but we’ll be aiming for a top-four finish and then anything can happen from there.”
KEY PLAYER
Ross Young
Experienced midfielder who won last years’ Feeny Medal. One of the greatest players to ever pull on the Royal Blue jumper, Young continues to dominate games. Could potentially spend more time in defence and less time in the midfield, but that won’t nullify his influence.
INs & OUTs
INs
Sam Dunstan (Mallee Eagles)
Jamie Papalia (Keilor)
Kieran Bell (Keilor)
Jesse Wallin (Keilor)
Trent Grant (Noradjuha Quantong)
Chris Lynch (Drysdale)
Steve Dennell (South Croydon)
OUTs
Brody Haddow (South Bendigo)
Jordan Bath (Sea Lake-Nandaly Tigers)
Scott Wood (Koondrook-Barham)
Samuel Griffiths
