Sport
22 July, 2026
Pivoting on one quarter of power
ONE powerful quarter was all it took for Wedderburn to continue its North Central season undefeated.
ONE powerful quarter was all it took for Wedderburn to continue its North Central season undefeated.
Donald had put the Redbacks under intense pressure in the first half at Donaldson Park on Saturday.
And despite capitulating to the Redbacks in the third term, battled out the match to go down to the ladder leader by only 29 points and theoretically keep alive its slender but fading hopes of sneaking into the top four.
The Redbacks had gone to the main break for a second week trailing by three points on home turf.
Donald had piled on the pressure at centre bounces where Bill Sam was a key ruckman creating headaches for the more fancied Redbacks while Pala Kuma and Ashley Reid signalled danger when near the ball.
It took a massive “premiership quarter” lift from Wedderburn to turn the tide and continue through a season where the red and black colours have yet to be lowered.
The fumbles and giving away free kicks under pressure that had allowed Donald to overturn a 14-point deficit at quarter time, giving Wedderburn what could be rated its toughest workout of the season, were quickly eradicated from play as the Redbacks took control.
Tyler Curtis gained the edge of Sam in the ruck and within minutes Tom Campbell goaled to have Wedderburn in front on the scoreboard.
There were three goals in four minutes – the game had changed and it was thanks to Curtis, coach Tom Metherell again doggedly inspiring the defenders, Darcy Jackson and Mitchell McEwen.
Oscar Holt had worked himself into play – again hitting the post while still finishing the day with two good goals.
Jackson with body in front won a free kick that found Curtis and another major from 15 metres out to dent Donald.
But the Royals refused to surrender. Kalon Green’s snap over the shoulder in a congested goal square a sign that Wedderburn will be pushed until the final siren.
The flair of Green, however, triggered another stirring spurt from Wedderburn as Lachie Raymond broke with a goal after a run of miskicks and dropped marks and Holt found accuracy in the dying minutes of the quarter as the Redbacks were standing firm as Donald through Sam and Luca Rice refused to buckle.
The mercurial Campbell capped off an eight-goal term with a goal moments from the siren, the passage of play initiated by Metherell roaming across half-back in a quarter where Wedderburn applied better pressure, winning the ball and getting it closer to goal.
Donald’s refusal to surrender was clear with an early fourth quarter goal to George Morgan, one of three added by the Royals in the final 27 minutes.
The Royals outscored Wedderburn in the term, sloppy defence gave away an easy mark and goal to Lachlan Sneddon.
Wedderburn kicked its only major with two minutes left on the clock when McEwen seized one final opportunity.
Read More: St Arnaud