The Courier |
DARLEY sent a statement to the rest of the Ballarat Football League by upsetting second-placed Redan by 22 points in a fierce contest at Darley Park yesterday.
Trailing by 10 points at the final change, the Devils piled on six goals to one in the final term.
The home side simply out-ran and out-muscled its opponent, meaning the Lions could not get their hands on the footy.
Nathan Jackel was outstanding for Darley, providing a spark when his team needed it, while former Collingwood star Shane O'Bree was fantastic across half-back, along with Jake Edwards up forward.
Devils coach Rod MacPherson was impressed with his team's performance. "I haven't been able to question their effort all year, and it's just finally good to get a scalp among the big three," he said.
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"I just said at three-quarter time, if we are going to go down, we are going down swinging.
"We made a few little mistakes in the third quarter, and it cost us three goals, so I just said if we are going to make a mistake, make it a big one."
Darley started the match like a house on fire, kicking the opening four goals to hold an early 26-point advantage.
The Lions had no answers for Darley's rebound run off half-back, sounding early alarm bells for the visitors.
Redan needed to respond to the first-quarter domination, and that's exactly what it did, kicking four goals to two to reduce the margin to 14 points in the shadows of half-time.
The improvement in Redan's game came off the back off its desire to run and carry the ball through the middle of the ground, putting Darley's defence under pressure and resulting in scoring opportunities.
The second half was poised to be a memorable one however, when the home side kicked the opening two goals of the third term.
But the Lions responded in stunning fashion, booting four quick goals to suddenly take the lead midway through the term.
And when they added another to go 10 points up close to the siren, the Devils' coaching staff had a giant headache.
The first goal of the final term was going to be crucial and, much to the delight of the Darley supporters, it fell the way of spearhead Dane Grenfell.
And when Edwards again kicked truly moments later, the Devils were back in front.
A further two goals followed and suddenly the Darley lead was back out to 14 points.
Redan needed to respond. When Mitch Phelps goaled, it was back to an eight-point game.
But the comeback was short-lived a quick-fire two goals to the home side ensured the four points were safe and sound.
Lions coach Eammon Gill was disappointed with the loss.
"We only played two quarters really and, if you only play two quarters of footy, you can't win games," he said.
"They just won the inside ball, and were just to good on the outside.
"In the second and third quarters we won that area, but two quarters just isn't enough."
