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ABOUT US

The Donnybrook Football & Sporting Club was founded in 1897 and has a proud history of providing an interactive clubhouse involving the members, players and local community.



Prior to 1953 there were always two donnybrook teams which played against local clubs; Kirup, Balingup, Nannup, Noggerup, Argyle and other small localities over the early years.



In 1953 Donnybrook joined the Bunbury/Collie League against three Bunbury teams, three Collie teams and two Busselton teams.



The first president of the club was Jack Gerrard, and under his guidance paved the way for many more presidents to come. Donnybrook forged a reputation as a tough, uncompromising team. Developed with hard, physical workers in the farming and timber industries.  Ex Claremont (WAFL) and state ruckman Dixie Lee coached Donnybrook to the 1956 grand final. That year the two Busselton teams combined and defeated the Dons in a hard fought and spectacular grand final.



In 1957 the Bunbury/Collie League expanded to become the SWFL and included a team from Harvey/Brunswick, Boyanup/Capel/Dardanup, Augusta/Margaret River and the Harvey Bulls joined in later years.



The Donnybrook Football Club competed hard for 20 years before achieving our first League premiership in 1977, coached by Peter Betti. It took 21 more years before the next ultimate victory in 1998 coached by Darian Cheffers, then again in 1999 coached by Rick Greaves and yet again in 2000 coached by Heath East.

 

The reserves have played in three grand finals and won their only flag in 1973 which was coached by Peter Betti. The colts have made two grand finals without success (so far).



The resilience of the Donnybrook Football & Sporting Club remains as strong today. The last few years have been tough on the field, but with an improved focus on the junior grades and creating leadership groups within the reserves and league teams, there have been some mighty changes of late.  Our hard work has paid off.  

In 2018, we are proud to say that the League side broke a 18 year drought and won the Premiership against the Bunbury Bulldogs.  The 2018 season saw the team win all trophies in that year as well as finishing on top of the ladder as minor premiers.  Coached by Julian Burgess and captained by longstanding player, Shane Cristaldi the league side blitzed their way to the top.  

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