EFNL Premier Division: Blackburn dethrones ladder-leader Doncaster East in first win of season

Following on from an Anzac Day clash with South Croydon four days earlier, the Burners handed ladder-leader Doncaster East its first defeat of the season on Saturday – with the hosts banking their first win for 2023 in the 16.8 (104) to 11.20 (86) upset.

In its first outing on the refurbished Morton Park deck, Allen said his group withstood every challenge as it opened with 6.0 to Doncaster East’s 1.9, owing largely to pressure.

The visitors cut the margin to just 13 points at three-quarter time but Blackburn wasn’t to be denied against a Lions outfit fielding four ex-AFL names.

“It’s probably one of the best wins I’ve been involved in, in my time in footy,” Allen said.

“They (Doncaster East) came hard at the start of the third, I think they kicked the first three of the quarter … off a four-day break we had a few guys running on treadmills out there.

“We had to flick the magnets around and get some fresher legs in the middle which set the match back on our terms … they’re (Doncaster East) a quality football team but our boys to their credit were very brave all day, withstood everything and kept putting it back on them.”

Former Sandringham pair Kade Answerth and Jason Read were prolific for the Burners, with the duo combining through the midfield to finish in the best couple on the ground.

“He’s just the heart and soul of the club – he’s manic on the training track, works so hard and it’s probably been two or three years of building up to get him to a point where he’s probably the leader of the midfield now,” Allen said of Read.

“He’s been outstanding, just his clearance work and the way he attacks the footy is second-to-none, and then you chuck in Kade, who’s a footballer’s footballer, knows where to run, hard as anything and does all the right things.

“They’re combining really well for us.”

Ethan Wright (three goals), Lachlan Bugeja and Pat Lawlor (two) figured among 12 individual goal-kickers for Blackburn, while Jack Sholakis finished with three majors for Doncaster East.

The victory lifts the Burners to a 1-2 record and eighth, as the Lions (2-1) slip from first to fourth.

Blackburn hosts Berwick in Round 4 while Doncaster East is away to Noble Park.

Blackburn 6.0 9.11 12.4 16.8 (104)

Doncaster East 1.9 4.10 8.15 11.20 (86)

Blackburn

Goal kickers:

E. Wright 3, L. Bugeja, P. Lawlor 2, K. Answerth, J. Read, K. Jiath, J. Epple, B. Horsnaill, N. Barnes, L. Harry, S. Harte, J. Holewa

Best players:

K. Answerth, J. Read, T. Maher, L. Bugeja, K. Jiath, J. Epple

Doncaster East

Goal kickers:

J. Sholakis 3, J. Appleby, L. Loverso 2, L. Tynan, D. Olley, T. Bell, M. Hoskin

Best players:

D. Jones-Hughes, N. Hay, L. Waddell, S. White, M. Hoskin, C. Haswell

Originally published as EFNL Premier Division: Blackburn dethrones ladder-leader Doncaster East in first win of season