Match Report: Donnybrook v Carey Park
Donnybrook ended Carey Park's unbeaten start to 2015 and emphasised their own finals credentials with a 17 point win on Sunday at VC Mitchell Park.
The home side outran the Panthers in the final quarter to post a 17.3 (105) to 13.10 (88) success in a match that resembled a shootout at times and a fierce contest at others.
Carey Park squandered a 30 point lead in the first quarter and would be left to rue inaccurate second half goal kicking, as Donnybrook produced a result that leaves both clubs with a 4-1 season record.
Panthers forward Matt Martin kicked four of his six goals in an exciting and topsy-turvy first term.
After Donnybrook cancelled out Carey Park's two early goals, the visitors then slammed home five unanswered majors before Donnybrook again responded in kind to lead 7.1 (43) to 7.0 (42) at quarter time.
Dons' star Jeff Smith also kicked two of his six goals in the first term, while Robbie Cross and Simon Parry kicked long-range goals to build momentum for their side.
The second quarter was an extension of the free-flowing football that both teams looked to play, but scoring became more difficult as the defences tightened up and many long-range shots both ways were either marked or spoiled deep inside both of the forward lines.
Donnybrook squandered some opportunities to maintain their lead in the second term, but only trailed by a point at half-time thanks to a goal just seconds before the siren.
Kane McMorron repeated the feat just before the three-quarter time siren, taking advantage of a 50m penalty to kick a goal and give Donnybrook an eight point lead with a term to play.
Jason Brennan was also handy for the victors, popping up with four goals including two in the third quarter.
Carey Park had earlier begun that third quarter with four straight behinds, indicative of their second half inaccuracy as they kicked 3.8 compared to their 10.2 in the first half.
Martin, who was regularly double teamed and found space to lead into hard to come by, was guilty of missing opportunities at key stages in the final quarter.
In contrast, his opposite number Smith slotted two crucial goals from set shots to help the Dons overpower their opponents as the match wound down.
Donnybrook's ability to play four strong quarters and outrun Carey Park in the crucial moments could put the league on notice and provide another shake-up to an unpredictable season.
