Red-Hot Redan run Darley ragged

IN one of the shock results of recent memory in the McDonald’s Ballarat Football League, the Lions have cruised past the Devils by a staggering 58-point margin to progress to the semi-finals, winning 18.16 (124) to 8.18 (66).

Remarkably, the Devils had won their last 16 games on their home deck at Darley Park, but even this couldn’t save them, with the class of Orren Stephenson and Lachie George on full display from the very first bounce.

Trailing by 13 points at the first break, Darley coach Heath Scotland pleaded with his chargers to, “Stick with the game plan…this is finals footy boys and there is no easy ball out there.”

However, with the Lions kicking with the breeze in the second term there was no coming back from a five goal to one second term and Redan all but sealed the game by half-time.

Up by 40 points by at the final change, a very happy Redan coach, Jarrett Giampaolo, reminded his players to, “Keep focus and don’t let in any silly mistakes creep in. We have played the better footy and let’s finish off with a statement.”

The Lions shared the love up forward with eight individual goals kickers and Grant Bell the most industrious with four majors.

Greater Western Victoria Rebels’ Cooper Atchinson and Cooper Craig-Peters were also stellar inclusions for the Lions, with two goals each and maybe a late goal of the year contender from Craig-Peters in the final term showing an extra element to his versatility.

Heading into their semi-final clash with Sebastopol on Sunday, the Lions will be without veteran Dean Chester who re-injured his hamstring in the win.