![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/04\/DSC_0555_35599.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
But the Swans were neither overawed nor intimidated as evidenced by their bright start to the contest.<\/p>\n
When co-captain Shellby Lonie slotted the Swans first goal in BFLW ranks in the latter half of the opening term \u2013 after a few squandered chances by teammates \u2013 they led the Devils by nine points.<\/p>\n
The margin was two less at quarter-time.<\/p>\n
Then the Devils kicked into gear. A 41-0 second quarter sealed the Swans’ fate, albeit they were ultra-competitive throughout the second half, despite not adding to their score and Darley adding five more majors.<\/p>\n
Pidgeon could not question his players’ effort, endeavour and attack on the ball; and most of all, their perseverance.<\/p>\n
“I didn’t think the scoreboard did justice to the contest,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We had a really bad lapse in the second quarter and that cost us any momentum we had in the game.<\/p>\n
“But I was really proud with how we came out after half time.<\/p>\n
“We still lost the second half on the scoreboard, but we more than matched them around the ground.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “They had many more mature bodies and much better synergy; they’re a three-straight premiership team.<\/p>\n “We are under no illusions we’ve got work to do, but we are by no means disillusioned.<\/p>\n “But after that, we know exactly where we are at compared to one of the two yardsticks of the competition.”<\/p>\n Zoe Burke shone brightest for the Swans on the wing, winning plenty of contested possessions and using her speed to great effect in what will be one of just a handful of games she will play this season, soon bound for overseas.<\/p>\n Club newcomers Remy Callender and Yazmin O’Keefe toiled hard in defence, while Chloe Everett and Alexandria Gladman provided plenty of dash, and Lonie won plenty of ball in the midfield.<\/p>\n After a long wait to field a senior women’s team, long-time Swan and co-captain Imogen O’Brien said it was good to see the club’s hard work and faith get repaid.<\/p>\n “I’ve been here since I was a junior and it’s amazing to be part of what’s happening at the moment,” she said.<\/p>\n “It feels so special.”<\/p>\n Humble in victory, new Darley coach Danyel Waters, whose extensive coaching resume includes having been part of AFLW, Victorian Football League Women’s and Talent League programs, predicted bright days ahead for the Swans.<\/p>\n “We didn’t really know what to expect with Ballarat knowing they were a new side, but we did know they were young and fast and we didn’t want to underestimate them,” she said.<\/p>\n “They rattled us a bit in that first quarter.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/04\/DSC_0146_56081.jpg\")
![\"The](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/04\/Swan_50822.jpg\")