SWFL women’s 2022: Donnybrook down Carey Park to keep finals dreams alive

Donnybrook have flexed their muscles on the road to keep their finals dreams alive for 2022.

The Dons travelled to Kelly Park to face the Panthers on Saturday and lead at every chance to win 4.12 (36) to 1.1 (7).

Sitting in fifth place on the ladder and just four points ahead of Carey Park heading into the match, Donnybrook set out to distance themselves from the bottom half of the ladder.

From the first bounce, the Dons showed they were a cut above and held the Panthers scoreless until the third quarter.

It was a battle of stars in the midfield, with Ebony Buck and Kandice Hart working hard for Carey Park, while Kirryn Williams, Matilda Worsfold and Jessica Verbrugge provided plenty of run for the Dons.

By half time, Donnybrook led 4.5 (29) to no score and looked set to storm to a huge win, but inaccurate kicking in the second half cost them a percentage boost.

The Dons kicked seven points and no goals in the second half of the match to win by 29 — a much lower margin than they would have expected at the half.

Donnybrook now trail fourth-placed Busselton on percentage, while Carey Park are in sixth and eight points out of the top four.