FOOTBALL
DONALD has been a consistent team as of the past few seasons, making it to September football, but unfortunately, they can’t seem to get the win during the most crucial times of the season.
The Royal Blues’ new coach Daniel Pearce is uncertain about this season and what it could bring.
“We have been around the mark for a few years and haven’t quite been able to get the job done,” Pearce said.
“We have lost a few and will be a bit younger in the age group.
“So deep September footy is an unknown but you never know, footy can be a funny game.”
With the end of Josh Potter’s spell, Pearce, who has been a loyal footballer with Donald, was given the opportunity to step up and take the reins.
Daniel is very proud of the opportunity he was given.
“It’s been great to being announced as head coach this season,” Pearce said.
“It’s a great club to be apart of and a great opportunity to take the reins in as well.
“Certainly something I have thought about being the coach and it’s great that I now have the chance to coach the club.”
The Royal Blues have some changes to the club during the summer break.
They have first signed in a former Royal Blue player Aaron Schofield who most recently played for White Hills Demons Football Club in the Heathcote District Football Netball League.
He kicked 20 goals last season with White Hills, so it should be expected that he will have a good run in the midfield.
Darcy Harrison returns to Donald after a couple of seasons off, he kicked 11 goals and featured twice in the best players list during his last season, which was in 2022.
Harrison would be a solid asset for the Royal Blues who can kick long and hard into the forward line.
Donald will be expected to be running a few younger players from the under 17s that will feature in the senior side.
Donald’s under 17s captain Glenn Pearse featured in the reserves side a few times last season so he will hope to get up onto the first team this season.
Lachlan Clarke will also be looking for first team football, who played six games in the reserves last season, with one of the games Clarke featured on the best players list.
DONALD FAST FOOTY FACTS
JOINED LEAGUE: 1932
GROUND: Donald Recreation Reserve
PREMIERSHIPS: 13 (1936, 1937, 1939,1949,1963,1979,1980, 1987,1992,1993,2002, 2004, 2006)
PRESIDENT: Danny Forrest
SENIOR COACH: Daniel Pearce
2024 LADDER POSITION: 4th
2024 BEST & FAIREST: Andrew Browne
2024 LEADING GOALKICKER: Noah Berry (28 goals)
FROM THE COACH
“Obviously, we want to be a competitive group to play against.
“We will have a fair few young lads that will come and get a good chance on playing senior footy in consecutive games and make them into good senior footballers.
“We are just focusing on round 1 at the moment with and will take it each week and how the opponent as it comes.
“There is going to be some handy teams to come up and play against with all different ways to play.”
PLAYER TO WATCH
George Morgan: Morgan is a young lad who is really training well getting himself fit to give himself a good crack.
“He has been a fringe player in and out of the seniors and reserves the past couple of years.
“It will be good to see him really give it a good crack this year.”
INS & OUTS
INS
Charlie Campbell (Horsham Saints)
Jye Johnson (Rupanyup)
Glenn Meulendyks (Tyrendarra)
Callum Vandendriest (Tweed Coast AFC)
OUTS
Hayden Geddes (South Bendigo)
Logan Geddes (Maribyrnong)
Ryan Hards (Imperial)
Tom Heuston (Tyabb)
Jamie Papalia (Keilor)
Josh Potter (Tyntynder)
Todd Stevenson (North Heidelberg)
Jesse Wallin (North Heidelberg)
NETBALL
DONALD had a quiet 2024 season, only managing to come up with five wins.
They would be hoping to get some results in this season and potentially push for finals.
There hasn’t been much change to the Royal Blues side so they will be hoping that the team chemistry continues to build for the 2025 season.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Not Supplied
