Donald’s Glenn Westerland marks high above Wedderburn’s Tim Lockhart (left) and Andrew Lockhart, in April, 1993.
Teamwork: One of the most critical ingredients in any successful football team is teamwork. And in this day and age, the co-operative efforts of young and old alike is ensuring that the Donald Football Club remains viable, both on and off the field. Pictured during a recent two-person working bee, veteran club member, Bill Anderson, teamed up with 14-year-old Will Burke, to remove fence posts for a district farmer. The posts will later be cut up for firewood, another of the club’s activities to assist its supporters.
Donald Football Club has been an integral member of the North-Central League since its inception in 1926.
Formed in 1882, Donald, (the Royal Blues) has enjoyed considerable success over its 138-year history.
Today’s focus, however, is on the recollections of one of the club’s most dedicated supports, Bill Anderson, a long serving player with Donald who continues to work tirelessly for the club, a past player and administrator.
Bill’s knowledge of local football is second to none, and he was recognised when appointed as a selector for Victorian Country Football League’s first inter-state match, played against the ACTAFL, in Canberra, in 1980.
Among the best Donald players he has seen during the past 70 years, since 1950, have been:
Wally Shearer: Classy centre player. Two Feeny medals (1948 and 1951) and one North-Central Football League leading goal kicker award in 1954.
Roy Lemon: Strongly built centre half-back. Noted for his marking and long kicking.
Dennis Dunn: Tall, fast, skilful and long kicking centre half-forward, from St. Mary’s in Darwin. Played in 1987.
Paul Morgan: Full-forward recruited from Rupanyup. Kicked over 400 goals in his four seasns with Donald in the early 1990 speaks for itself. Played in two premierships, 1992 and 1993.
Mark Hannan: School teacher, very skilful centre player, who won the 1978 Feeny Medal.
Bill McGrath (1963 premiership), Darren Wood (1987 premiership), Hugh Delahunty and Bill Malone (1979 and 1980 premierships), all former coaches of Donald who led by example.
Ron Green: Tall, high marking utility player. Member of North-Central’s 1974 Caltex Country Championship winning team.
Murray Gilmour (266 games) and Glenn Westerland (331 games), both long kicking left footers who played at centre half-back, representing North-Central on many occasions (Glenn Westerland 30 representative games and 1987 Feeny Medal). Donald was able to build successful teams around these two key defenders, during the late 1970s (Gilmour), and late ’80s early ’90s (Westerland). Murray Gilmour was also a member of North-Central’s 1974 Championship winning team.
Best home grown players from neighbouring clubs: Jim Brennan (Watchem-Corack), Jim Jess (St. Arnaud), Maurie Wood (St. Arnaud), Corey Jones (Wycheproof-Narraport) and Mancel Giddings (Narraport and Wycheproof-Narraport).
Best from the Mallee: Richie Kalms, Garry Sporn, Greg Robertson and Garry “Rollo” Burns.
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