In a scrappy affair Donald led at every break on the way to a  9.13 (67) to 7.13 (55) win.

Royal Blues coach Tom Bell said his side was happy to get the points despite not playing its best brand of football. “We got the four points and that is what matters the most,” he said.

“It means we go into another week off with a win and we look forward to another challenge in two weeks time.”

Donald’s back line made it hard for St Arnaud right from the word go but neither side managed to fully capitalise on many of its opportunities.

At quarter-time Bell’s side led by 15-points despite kicking three goals five.

“Our backline was solid again,” he said. “But as I say every week our forwards need to be a little better.”

The game continued to be fought out between the midfielders and it was St Arnaud’s forward line that was wayward in the second quarter. The side restricted Donald to just two points but could manage just one goal and four behinds of its own before the long break.

Saints coach Jason DeGraaf said it was one of those day where his side was in the contest but did not play good football.

“We were in it up to our eyeballs again,” he said.

“But we did not take our opportunities when they presented themselves.”

Neither side could grab momentum during the third quarter but Donald’s lead grew to 10-points by three-quarter time. After the home team kicked early goals it looked a good chance to secure its second win of the season but Donald was just good enough to get the win.

“It was a very ugly win,” Bell said. “We really did not have any standouts but Josh Potter played well.”