The Courier |
IT is the Ballarat Football League’s biggest grudge match.
Tomorrow, the Bacchus Marsh v Darley showdown will take on an even greater meaning.In the blue corner is Bacchus Marsh, the challengers hell-bent on making an astonishing late season run to storm home to an unlikely finals berth.
And in the red corner is Darley, the outright favourite and the side looking to end the bout not in a four-quarter points decision, but a knockout blow.
In what will be one of the biggest Marsh clashes in years, both sides will this time enter the match with a big reward on the line.
With a relatively easy run home, a top-two finish is not out of the realms of possibility for the Devils, while the Cobras sit just one game out of the top six.
Darley coach Rod MacPherson said the derby had often been surrounded by a false hype when both sides were struggling. But not this time.
“This game is much bigger than it has been in the past. It’s a big game for both clubs,” he said.
The Devils’ stop-start season will finally start to gain some momentum, coming off their last bye for the season.
Darley’s last two wins have been against last year’s grand finalists, Redan and Sunbury, but there have been two byes dotted in between those wins. Now, the black and white will look to extend its unbeaten streak to five matches.
Defender Chris McGill is likely to come back into the side after recovering from a back problem.
Recruit Michael Clancy is nearing a return from a serious ankle injury, while co-captain Brad Inglis is a slight chance of also recovering from an ankle injury before the season is out.
Bacchus Marsh coach Doug Hawkins says his players have put the Abraham Kur contoversy behind them and are focused solely on the match.
Ryley Stuhldreier and Thomas Wardell come in while Kur and Coby Millar make way.
“We might get 1500 people there. This is the biggest match we have played for years,” Hawkins said.
“Darley are going to come out and be extremely physical and we’re ready for that.
“Our pressure and tackling in the last few weeks have been outstanding.
“I’m good friends with Rocket (MacPherson) but nothing would give me greater pressure than to knock him over.”
PREDICTION: Darley too strong.
