Devils primed for double dose of Lions

DARLEY senior women’s coach Danyel Waters is expecting another rematch of last year’s BFNL grand final against Redan to bring out the best in her side this Saturday at Darley Park.

The top of the ladder Devils warmed up for the first of two straight tilts at the Lions with a 98-point victory over Carisbrook last Sunday.

Following a bye in round 9 and another the following week for interleague commitments, the Devils will again front-up against the Lions at Western Oval on 14 June.

Despite the absence of plenty of personnel due to injury and unavailability, the Devils still had too much firepower for a persistent Carisbrook.

Captain Trinity Skenderis led from the front against the Redbacks, booting four goals in a best on ground effort.

Equally as prominent, Leivi Lane contributed six goals to the massive 19.11 (125) to 4.3 (27) scoreline.

Hampered by a late out and an early injury, the Devils were a player down for two quarters and without a bench.

“It was a bit of a curve ball, and the first half was pretty messy, but after an agreeance that we weren’t playing to our regular standard of football, the girls turned it around in the second half,” Waters said.

“It was definitely a better quality of football in the second half.

“Leivi Lane did exceptionally well with her six goals. We put her in the ruck, as we lost our ruck at the last minute, and she stepped in before going to the forward line.

“We even had Kim Bessell in the ruck at one point. She brought a lot of fun-energy into it.

“It was a very good call as we were a little bit flat at half-time and the decision to put her in the middle shook things up a bit.”

The Devils had excellent players all over the ground, with Sarah Tabone, Emmerson Hitch, Rhiannon Carra and Tayla Debono all featuring in the official best players’ list ahead of a string of other worthy candidates.

For Carisbrook, Danika Anderson, Emme Johnson, Bridget Epworth, Rhani Evans, Izzy Barby and Jazmin Wintle-Burton all stuck to the task.

Sitting atop the ladder, level on five wins with Redan, but with a superior percentage, Waters said the Devils were aware they were in the position of being the hunted.

 

One of those doing the hunting is the Lions, who the Devils overcame by 22 points in their round 4 meeting under lights at C.E. Brown Reserve.

Waters said her side would embrace the challenge of two straight games against one of their main rivals.

“It will mean a nice quick turnaround to any growth that we see from the first of the two games,” she said.

“We do seem to play really well against them; it’s a combination of the physicality and the pressure, but also the mentality of going up against a hard opposition.

“It really does bring out the best in them.

“Some of our players do work better under pressure.

“There will definitely be some players back in the side, so everyone is ready to go.

“No issues with numbers this week.”

Elsewhere, Redan celebrated Ellen Werts’ 100th game milestone with a win over East Point with a win under lights at Eastern Oval on Friday night.

The Lions prevailed 6.5 (41) to 2.9 (21).

Rose Russell, Kristen Prebble, Emily White, Amelia Mason, Rebecca Van Oorschot and Werts, who kicked two goals in her milestone game, led the charge for Redan.

Millie Stewart, Jess Mills, Rebecca Piper, Gemma Foord, Keisha Darroch and Jemma Costigan rated highly for the Dragons, who sit at an even 3-3 after having played all teams once.

Named as their side’s best two players, Ella Bradbury and Jamie-Lee Speakman were among the goals at Maddingley Park on Sunday, as Bacchus Marsh scored a big win over Lake Wendouree.

Both players kicked seven goals as the 4-2 Cobras regained third spot on the ladder with a 29.25 (199) to 0.0 (0) triumph.

Emilee Attard, Indi Stanley, Rita Azzopardi and Isabella Faralla, who contributed four goals, were other standouts for the Cobras.

Shannon Hearn, Steph Wilson, Tyler Neville, Roberta Slorach, Jordan Chettleburgh and Stephanie Stannard all battled hard for the Lakers.

Bacchus Marsh will be aiming to avenge an opening round loss to East Point when the pair clash at Maddingley Park this Saturday.

Round 8 (all games, Saturday 23 May): Lake Wendouree v Ballarat; Bacchus Marsh v East Point; Darley v Redan.