SWFL: Hawks inaugural women’s side win their maiden match while men never get going against Donnybrook

Augusta-Margaret River women’s side have won their first match, taking down Donnybrook at home by 11 points. Janet Smith and Taylor Smith both kicked two goals for the Hawks in the 5.2 (32) to 3.3 (21) win over the Dons in wet conditions. Coach Damian Drake-Brockman was happy for the side to get some reward for effort after putting in some hard work. “The girls really clicked, after last week the girls lifted and after working on what we needed to at training, to see them put it into play was good to see,” Drake-Brockman said. The middle quarters was were the side asserted their dominance kicking four goals to one. The Dons fought back in the last with two goals to none but the Hawks stayed strong to win their first match. 2025 Nola Marino medallist Ella Smith was the star of the day kicking three goals for last year’s grand finalists but didn’t have much help in the loss. The men’s game saw Donnybrook take care of Augusta-Margaret River, winning by 26 points. The Hawks fell behind early and never got going with the Dons extending their margin at every break. Jed Spence and Kaspa Donovan were both among the best after starring in round one, joined by Zac Dronow in the middle. Byron George brought his kicking boots after a 1.6 showing in round one, the forward capitalised on his chances with four goals. It was the Dons’ first game with player coach Cody Leggett at the helm with the WAFL star leading his side to a 12.12 (84) to 9.4 (58) victory. Margaret River shire president Julia Jean-Rice said she was thrilled the club was now complete. “We’ve got really great participation in women’s football, not only in our shire, but the surrounding areas of the South West. I think women’s AFL has a great future, and I’m really stoked to see the Margaret River team playing,” she said. “It’s fantastic that we’ve now got both teams playing in Margaret River.”