DONVALE FOOTBALL CLUB history 1971 - 2017
“THE BEGINNING & EARLY YEARS”
Donvale Football Club was formed in 1971. In 1970 the Doncaster Council was looking for a football club to use the new ground it had created at Donvale Reserve. St Francis Box Hill Football Club voted at its AGM after the 1970 season to change its name to Donvale United Football Club and move to the new ground at Donvale Reserve.
St Francis originated from Box Hill YCW Football Club, which was formed in 1948 and played in Hawthorn Colours.
Many of the Committee, Players & Supporters from Box Hill YCW – St Francis continued their involvement with the new Donvale United Football Club.
In 1971 the new club under the direction of Tony Otten as President & former Collingwood Captain John Henderson as Coach, adopted the Black & White of Collingwood. In this first season Donvale played its Home Games at Zerbes Reserve, East Doncaster due to the new ground being not ready for Football.
During these times the Reserves played at the Opposition Ground (same time as Seniors). Both Seniors & Reserves played finals in the first year. The Club continued its affiliation with the Eastern Suburban Churches Football Association (ESCFA) and competed in A grade from 1971 until its final year being 1991. The only Club to maintain this proud record. Seven (7) Senior Premierships during this time.
In 1973 the Club fielded its first Junior team, an Under 13 side & in 1974 and Under 15 side also took the field. With the encouragement of John Henderson, who coached both the Seniors & Under 15’s, Junior Football at Donvale boomed. In 1976 the Club fielded an Under 17 side for the first time. These Junior Teams formed the springboard for the continuing strengths of our Senior sides through the last 70s & early 80s.
The first Life Members of the Club were recognised for their contributions during both the Box Hill YCW years & later to the Donvale United Football Club. These included Jack Stagg, Tom Ryan, Kevin Lear, Pat Fewster, Bob Cain, Ken Turner, Bill McLaughlin & Max Lear.
Tony Otten’s nine years as President saw the Club’s Senior team never finish outside the top four.
In 1980 the first Senior Player to play 200 games with Donvale was Tony Pinwill. He was followed by Tim Finemore and David Grant in 1981, Ken Seedsman and Pat De Cata in 1982, Warwick Scott in 1985, Paul Hansen and Graham Henstridge in 1986.
“SUCCESSFUL PERIOD ON THE GROUND”
In 1985 John Hamilton assumed the Presidency of the Club and Eric Moore, a former Richmond Premiership player, was appointed Senior Coach. 1986 and 1987 proved frustrating years with the Senior Team finishing runners-up in both years. The highlight of 1986, however, was the first premiership of our Under 17 team. Many players from this side would go onto play Senior football at Donvale.
In 1988 Geoff “Wally” Withers was appointed as Senior playing Coach. Wally played at Donvale in the 70’s as a 17 year old before establishing a great career at Box Hill VFA Club. Wayne Turner was into his second year as Reserves Captain Coach.
1988 to 1992 – five years, Five Senior and Three Reserves Premierships in “A” Grade ESCFA with the 1992 flag in our first season in the EDFL (now EFNL).
Warren Thomas won the league Goalkicking in 1988.
In 1989 we lost a great mate with the tragic loss of Craig Thomas. This left a void that could not be filled and the Craig Thomas Award was created in memory and voted by the Players each year. The 1989 Senior Flag was quite amazing. 13 points down with just over 3 minutes remaining and rain decending on the Oakleigh Ground. It appeared all lost but remarkably 4 goals in that period saw us defeat St Kevins Ormond by 11 points. Craig must have been looking down.
In 1990 Michael McCormack kicked 122 goals to eclipse Tony Pinwill who held the record at 120 goals in 1973.
GRAND FINALS SCORES
SENIORS RESERVES
1988
Donvale 9.11.65 Donvale 13.20.98
Hampton Rovers 2.9.21 St Leo’s Wattle Park 5.4.34
1989
Donvale 14.9.93 Donvale 10.23.83
St. Kevins Ormond 11.16.82 St Leo’s Wattle Park 3.9.27
1990
Donvale 14.14.98 Donvale 24.13.157
Burwood 12.6.78 Springvale Districts 11.10.76
1991
Donvale 18.12.120
St. Pauls Bentleigh 12.10.82
1992
Donvale 17.14.116
Warrandyte 7.8.50
“EASTERN DISTRICTS FOOTBALL LEAGUE HERE WE COME”
In 1992 we joined the EDFL in 3rd division. All Affiliate Clubs voted on our submission to join the League. Our goal was to play in 2nd division, but most Clubs voted against this thus 3rd Division was the result. Undefeated all year, the promotion to 2nd division was achieved after defeating Warrandyte in the Grand Final. Tony Weeks won the League B&F & Brian Rafton the Reserves League B&F.
Below is Ladder after Home & Away & Finals scores.
|
1992 Ladder |
||||||
|
Team |
P |
W |
L |
D |
% |
Pts |
|
Donvale United |
18 |
18 |
0 |
0 |
227 |
72 |
|
Forest Hill |
18 |
12 |
6 |
0 |
113 |
48 |
|
Warrandyte |
18 |
11 |
7 |
0 |
107 |
44 |
|
Kilsyth |
18 |
10 |
8 |
0 |
99 |
40 |
|
Fairpark |
18 |
9 |
9 |
0 |
107 |
36 |
|
The Basin |
18 |
9 |
9 |
0 |
96 |
36 |
|
Templestowe |
18 |
9 |
9 |
0 |
95 |
36 |
|
Ferntree Gully |
18 |
5 |
13 |
0 |
77 |
20 |
|
Knox |
18 |
4 |
14 |
0 |
69 |
16 |
|
Upper Ferntree Gully |
18 |
3 |
15 |
0 |
64 |
12 |
|
Grand Final |
|
Donvale United |
17.14 |
116 |
Ground: Central Reserve, Glen Waverley |
|
Warrandyte |
7.8 |
50 |
Donvale United won by 66 pts |
In 1993 Geoff Withers handed the coaching reigns to Tony Weeks. We had a change of player personnel that year, so we were looking to consolidate our position in 2nd division. Tony was Captain Coach of the Club that season finishing in 4th after losing first semi to Lilydale. Our Reserves Coached by Michael McCormack won the Premiership that year after defeating a dirty Clayton side that had no intention of playing the footy.
Kevin Collins joined Donvale as Senior Coach in 1994, and Tony Weeks continued as Senior Captain. With a host of new recruits, we went through the season undefeated and duly promoted to 1st division. Reserves also won the Flag to make it two in a row. Michael McCormack won the League Goalkicking.
Below is Ladder after Home & Away & finals scores. 11 times we won by more than 100 Points.
|
1994 Ladder |
||||||
|
Team |
P |
W |
L |
D |
% |
Pts |
|
Donvale |
18 |
18 |
0 |
0 |
273 |
72 |
|
Lilydale |
18 |
13 |
5 |
0 |
153 |
52 |
|
Blackburn |
18 |
11 |
7 |
0 |
106 |
44 |
|
Bayswater |
18 |
10 |
8 |
0 |
110 |
40 |
|
Croydon |
18 |
10 |
8 |
0 |
100 |
40 |
|
Warrandyte |
18 |
10 |
8 |
0 |
92 |
40 |
|
Mulgrave |
18 |
8 |
10 |
0 |
98 |
32 |
|
Doncaster |
18 |
7 |
11 |
0 |
86 |
28 |
|
Mooroolbark |
18 |
3 |
15 |
0 |
51 |
12 |
|
South Croydon |
18 |
0 |
18 |
0 |
51 |
0 |
|
Grand Final |
|
Donvale |
13.14 |
92 |
Ground: Tormore Reserve, Boronia |
|
Bayswater |
6.7 |
43 |
Donvale won by 49 pts |
In 1995 our first season in 1st Division we made our mark. Vermont & Ringwood were the power sides. After the Home & Away rounds, we finished in 3rd position. Beating East Burwood in the first semi, we faced Ringwood in the Prelim, a side we couldn’t really get near during the season. In a high quality and brutal clash, Donvale displayed one of its best ever performances to reach a First Division Grand Final. The next week against Vermont was not to be our day. Feeling the effects of as tough Prelim & a number of Players injured from that game, Vermont proved too strong.
That year Tony Weeks won his 2nd League B&F & Hayden Ditty the Under 19’s/Colts League B&F.
“TOP AND BOTTOM”
Donvale entered the 1996 season with great optimism after our first season in the top division. Vermont, Clayton & East Burwood were the quality sides. Big scores seemed to be the norm during the year. Surely the mud was still part of local footy but Round 9 (mid June) didn’t suggest that. We travelled to Clayton that day and final score is beyond belief.
|
Clayton |
23.16 |
154 |
Ground: Clayton Reserve |
|
Donvale |
26.15 |
171 |
Donvale won by 17 pts |
Vermont was basically untouchable. They beat us 3 times during the season and comfortably. Thursday selection before the Grand final we had a few injuries to regular Senior players. Kevin Collins & selection panel made the decision to go into the Grand Final with fit available players. It paid huge dividends. Our midfield and backline were at their best. Premiers at the highest level by 7 goals.
Reserves played off in the Grand Final showing how great our depth was that season. Unfortunately, losing to Vermont.
Paul (Choppa) Farrell wins Reserves League B&F. Glenn Coleman wins League Goalkicking – 91 goals (Home & Away)
|
1996 Ladder |
||||||
|
Team |
P |
W |
L |
D |
% |
Pts |
|
Vermont |
18 |
17 |
1 |
0 |
211 |
68 |
|
Donvale |
18 |
14 |
4 |
0 |
142 |
56 |
|
Clayton |
18 |
11 |
7 |
0 |
99 |
44 |
|
East Burwood |
18 |
10 |
8 |
0 |
110 |
40 |
|
East Ringwood |
18 |
8 |
10 |
0 |
103 |
32 |
|
Bayswater |
18 |
8 |
10 |
0 |
92 |
32 |
|
Scoresby |
18 |
7 |
11 |
0 |
84 |
28 |
|
Ringwood |
18 |
6 |
12 |
0 |
88 |
24 |
|
Mitcham |
18 |
6 |
12 |
0 |
79 |
24 |
|
Boronia |
18 |
3 |
15 |
0 |
56 |
12 |
|
Grand Final |
|
Vermont |
6.5 |
41 |
Ground: Jubilee Park, Ringwood |
|
Donvale |
12.12 |
84 |
Donvale won by 43 pts |
In 1997 we had a change of player personnel but were confident that we would still be around the mix. A mid-season slump saw us lose 3 games in a row but steamed home winning the last 6 games to finish in 4th position after the Home & away, only one game from 2nd spot. A first semi defeat at the hands of Bayswater by two goals saw our season end.
Simon Byrne wins League Goalkicking – 91 goals (Home & Away)
1998 saw Brendan McCormack assume the role of Senior Coach. President was Dave Woods & then Kevin Keaney that year. Round 14 at Donvale is remembered as one special occasion. Simon Bryne kicked 20 goals. Brendan Griffiths also kicked 9 goals from a Half Forward Flank.
|
Donvale |
37.17 |
239 |
Ground: Donvale Reserve |
|
Croydon |
10.13 |
73 |
Donvale won by 166 pts |
Third on the Ladder meant a first semi clash against East Ringwood. We won by 107 points and set up a Preliminary final against East Burwood at their Ground. Donvale beat them by 20 points and face Vermont once again to decide Premiers.
In the Grand Final, the quarter time break saw an interesting coming together of both teams and not in a pleasant way. Just before halftime we were right with them, but a five-goal blitz saw the flood gates open and Donvale couldn’t get back in the game. No glory for the Vales at the hands of Vermont again.
Simon Byrne wins League Goalkicking – 107 goals (Home & Away)
1999 wasn’t our year. A number of players had retired, and stocks were diminishing. We finished 5th just short of a finals campaign. This was the first time the Seniors weren’t part of September action after 14 successive finals series.
Brett Greig wins Senior League B&F.
The off season provided many changes both on & off the field. More players retired and others moved elsewhere. Don Scott (Hawthorn Legend) was appointed Senior Coach for 2000. We needed to stabilize and rebuild as our junior program as it had been relatively non-existent for a number of years. It proved to be a tougher than expected season and after 11 Rounds our Senior Coach was replaced with Kevin Collins to Coach out the year.
Wooden Spooners and down to second division we go.
“A NEW CENTURY”
We entered the 2001 season in second division. Justin O’Dwyer (Jacko) was appointed Senior Playing Coach & Michael Tout as Reserves Coach. Relegation the previous year meant a lot of hard work to maintain & recruit players that would be competitive in what was still considered a strong division. Our list prior to Christmas 2000 was a concern with numbers at a low level. Enormous work over the pre-season by Jacko enabled us to enter the season reasonably confident of a strong performance.
Over the previous two seasons we had an arrangement with Park Orchards Junior Club to play their Under 16 side in the EFL as Donvale/Park Orchards. They won two Flags in a row with some quality players amongst them who would be future Senior Club players. Most important to our Club’s future was the agreement with OLAP (Our Lady of the Pines Primary School) to join as Donvale Juniors playing on Saturday Mornings at Donvale. This sustained Junior push must be credited to Warwick Scott.
Both Laurie Zarafa and Brett Hood kicked over 50 goals in the 2001season. We finished the season just off the top two, so missed the double chance. Our losses were to Mulgrave twice & Blackburn once.
|
2001 Ladder |
||||||
|
Team |
P |
W |
L |
D |
% |
Pts |
|
Mulgrave |
18 |
16 |
2 |
0 |
169 |
64 |
|
Blackburn |
18 |
15 |
3 |
0 |
173 |
60 |
|
Donvale |
18 |
15 |
3 |
0 |
170 |
60 |
|
Lilydale |
18 |
11 |
7 |
0 |
119 |
44 |
|
Knox |
18 |
10 |
8 |
0 |
104 |
40 |
|
Doncaster |
18 |
7 |
11 |
0 |
76 |
28 |
|
Ringwood |
18 |
6 |
12 |
0 |
78 |
24 |
|
The Basin |
18 |
5 |
13 |
0 |
78 |
20 |
|
Montrose |
18 |
4 |
14 |
0 |
65 |
16 |
|
Upper Ferntree Gully |
18 |
1 |
17 |
0 |
50 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grand Final |
|
Date: Sat 15th September |
Time: 2:30pm |
|||||
|
Mulgrave |
|
|
|
7.9 |
51 |
Ground: Tormore Reserve, Boronia |
|
Donvale |
|
|
|
14.14 |
98 |
Donvale won by 47 pts |
Premiers and back to 1st Division.
Jacko wasn’t able to continue as Senior Coach, so we welcomed back Brendan “Billy” McCormack to assume the role in 2002. Back at the top level was not going to be easy. It was going to take several years for our Juniors to come through to Senior level so we were in for a tough season.
Coming into Round 18 we are at the bottom of the Ladder. We host Bayswater and must win to avoid relegation as we know North Ringwood won’t beat Vermont. Bayswater were 5 goals ahead at quarter time. Billy comes out of retirement and plays at Full Forward and kicks 3 majors. Brad Flower is everywhere. Win by 33 points and stay up.
In 2003, we showed some gradual improvement. We had a few close games and finished 8th. More work was done on the Junior side of the club. Discussions were ongoing with Whitehorse / St Francis Juniors to open a pathway for any of their players to continue their footy at Donvale after their Junior career had ended. Thanks to Theo Otten for his key involvement.
“ANOTHER TILT”
In 2004, Adrian Whitehead was into his second year as Senior playing Coach. Adrian was a Premiership player at Carlton in 1995 and more recently an Assistant Coach at Port Melbourne. We entered season 2004 with some relative confidence based on a host of new players and quality at that. Unfortunately, Adrian had to step away from his position at the Club due to some personal circumstances. Once again Billy McCormack put his hand up and coached out the rest of the season.
The highlight of 2004 was our Gala Ball which was held at the new Manningham Convention Centre. Over 300 people attended, making this the biggest function seen at Donvale.
2005 was a most enjoyable year. Round one we played Blackburn at Donvale and won by 148 points and we could be in for a decent year. After a few losses but a run of 8 straight victories saw us finish in 3rd spot and a finals campaign ahead of us. Brad O’Conner won the League Goalkicking and Under 21 player of the year.
We defeated East Burwood in the 1st Semi and waited for the loser of the Vermont & Noble Park clash.
There was a great feeling around the Club and our 3rd quarter blitz in the Prelim against Noble Park was one to see. Home by 10 goals and into a Grand final against Vermont again.
Grand Final day arrived, and we were ready for battle. The weather was terrible. The game was close all day, but luck just didn’t go our away. Vermont were given a dubious goal late in the final term which broke our spirit. In all, it’s a great effort to get so close.
|
2005 Ladder |
||||||
|
Team |
P |
W |
L |
D |
% |
Pts |
|
Vermont |
18 |
17 |
1 |
0 |
219 |
68 |
|
Noble Park |
18 |
15 |
3 |
0 |
142 |
60 |
|
Donvale |
18 |
12 |
6 |
0 |
135 |
48 |
|
East Burwood |
18 |
11 |
7 |
0 |
106 |
44 |
|
East Ringwood |
18 |
10 |
8 |
0 |
106 |
40 |
|
Croydon |
18 |
9 |
9 |
0 |
89 |
36 |
|
Mitcham |
18 |
7 |
11 |
0 |
99 |
28 |
|
Lilydale |
18 |
4 |
14 |
0 |
68 |
16 |
|
Blackburn |
18 |
3 |
15 |
0 |
59 |
12 |
|
Wantirna South |
18 |
2 |
16 |
0 |
59 |
8 |
|
Grand Final |
|
Date: Sat 17th September |
Time: 2:30pm |
|||||
|
Vermont |
3.2 |
4.2 |
4.6 |
5.7 |
37 |
Ground: Bayswater Oval |
|
Donvale |
1.2 |
4.3 |
4.4 |
4.4 |
28 |
Vermont won by 9 pts |
Staying at the top end of the Ladder in Premier division is a big challenge. Big money Clubs keep recruiting quality players. Vermont & Noble Park were even stronger in 2006. Other sides like Lilydale, East Ringwood & East Burwood are always pushing. We had a reasonable year. We won 5 out of our last 6 games plus a draw against Vermont. With losses to East Burwood & East Ringwood by single figures, had us just miss finals, finishing 5th. Our Reserves played in the Grand final against Vermont but were unsuccessful.
Balwyn enter the League in 2007 and start in first division. First Division goes from 10 teams to 12 teams. Scoresby & Norwood are promoted with Mitcham relegated. We lose quite a few players and start to give young local players Senior games. We did beat Balwyn by 7 points at Donvale being the first time both clubs had met. In the end we couldn’t match the power teams, finishing in 10th position.
“HARD WORK”
We entered the 2008 season in second division with Scott Grigg as Senior Coach. Scott had been our Reserves Coach, so he knew our list well. Local derbies were the norm facing Doncaster & East Doncaster over several years. The next five seasons were a real struggle narrowly avoiding relegation each year, except for 2012 where we finished just outside the top four. Through this time, we changed coaches regularly. Matt Young, Dean Greig, Billy McCormack & Graeme Cuff had short stints as senior coach. A positive through this period was the further development of our Juniors. Our Colts / Under 18’s were progressing well. In 2011 we played Lilydale in the Grand Final with majority of our team bottom age. We put up a spirited effort but couldn’t get the job done. Jeremy Grocott wins Colts League B&F.
Looking to the following year with real confidence and the League decides to change Colts to Under 19’s and we’re bottom age again. Make top four in 2012 but Upper Gully knock us out in the first semi.
Surely 2013 was to be our season. Graham Moyle takes over from Kevin Collins as Under 19 Coach. Up to 6 players get a taste of Senior Footy during the season to the slight detriment of our 19’s but we sneak into finals with a win against Waverley Blues in the last Home & Away fixture. We’re ready for a Premiership tilt with a full list of Players available.
Division 2 Under 19’s
Grand Final Donvale 19.4 (118) def Doncaster East 7.6 (48)
There was hope that the 2014 season would be a fruitful one with the calibre joining our Senior / Reserves squads, but the off season took a wrong turn with many players leaving the club. Player numbers during the pre-season were alarmingly low and by end Feb 2014, we had less than 35 players on our list. Many conversations were had but the underlying view was Donvale would not be a position to field both Senior & Reserves teams. A decision was made to join Whitefriars in the VAFA. 22 Donvale players transferred to Whitefriars. Donvale Coaches and Committee members took on roles at Whitefriars to support these players.
The Junior Club continued as Donvale in the EFL.
As we were now playing in the VAFA, it was an eye-opening season with travel to vast locations. Williamstown, Brunswick, Oak Park & Prahran to mention a few. Whitefriars were most understanding & compassionate to our circumstances and allowed a few of their home games to be played at Donvale. Hayden Cotsford won the Senior B&F that season.
During the 2014 season a working party behind the scenes was regularly meeting to secure Donvale’s future. A possible merger with Whitefriars or bring Donvale back, were the two options on the table. In the end we approached the EFL of our intentions to re-establish the Donvale Senior Club and this was ratified to commence in 4th Division in 2015. We had all 22 players committed to return to Donvale with a few added Whitefriars players.
“WE’RE BACK”
After many phone calls and meetings were had to secure enough players to field two sides back in the EFL for the 2015 season. By early March, we had around 50 players signed, so Senior footy was back at Donvale. Most of our supporters weren’t too worried about the 4 points, it was the fact that Donvale was alive again and as important, providing a pathway for our Juniors.
It was certainly a tough watch at times with the Seniors winning only one game in 2015, Reserves nil and no Under 19 side. Sounds ominous but it gets better. The playing group were close-knit and seemed to enjoy just playing footy but of course we needed to start winning games. New Playing Coach in Matt Fife and some handy inclusions gave us confidence of a much better showing in 2016. Under 19’s return.
All sides make finals. Seniors finish 4th, Reserves 3rd & 19’s win the flag. Jack Purcell & Karl Toce make 4th Division Team of the Year. Jason Wade wins Reserves League B&F & James Rausa win Under 19 League B&F. A remarkable Club performance second year back.
In 2017, a fantastic season eventuated. All 3 sides made Grand Finals with the Seniors & Under 19’s Premiership victors. The main game was nerve racking. Early in the last term we had no bench with multiple injuries. Matt Sutherland was huge pinch hitting in the ruck, but the key was two bombs from Nick Murphy to secure the flag.
6 Donvale players made 2017 Team of the Year - Sam Coghlan, Zac Haig, Matt Leardi, Nick Murphy, Jack Purcell and James Rausa. Nick Murphy wins League Goalkicking with Jack Purcell just behind. 150+ goals between the two. Donvale becomes the first Club in League history to win Senior Flags in all divisions.
|
2017 Ladder |
||||||
|
Team |
P |
W |
L |
D |
% |
Pts |
|
Donvale |
18 |
15 |
3 |
0 |
225 |
60 |
|
Forest Hill |
18 |
13 |
5 |
0 |
154 |
52 |
|
Whitehorse Pioneers |
18 |
12 |
6 |
0 |
120 |
48 |
|
Coldstream |
18 |
11 |
7 |
0 |
162 |
44 |
|
Kilsyth |
18 |
10 |
7 |
1 |
113 |
42 |
|
Glen Waverley Hawks |
18 |
9 |
8 |
1 |
120 |
38 |
|
Surrey Park |
18 |
8 |
9 |
1 |
130 |
34 |
|
Fairpark |
18 |
5 |
12 |
1 |
84 |
22 |
|
Silvan |
18 |
5 |
13 |
0 |
71 |
20 |
|
Nunawading |
18 |
0 |
18 |
0 |
14 |
0 |
|
Grand Final |
|
Date: Sat 9th September |
Time: 2:30pm |
|||||
|
Donvale |
2.2 |
4.6 |
7.6 |
10.8 |
68 |
Ground: Walker Park, Mitcham |
|
Forest Hill |
3.2 |
4.4 |
7.7 |
8.8 |
56 |
Donvale won by 12 pts |
