Redan ruins Devils finals push

Darley 10.11 (71) defeated by Redan 12.13 (85)

THERE was a major upset in the McDonalds Ballarat Football League last weekend at Darley Park, with the Redan Lions too good in a four-quarter performance over Darley.

Mathematically Redan remain in the hunt for a finals berth, sitting two games outside the competition’s top six, as Darley now face an uphill battle to keep their post season aspirations alive.

The Devils have cross-town rivals, Bacchus Marsh, breathing down their necks and with games against East Point, the Marsh and North Ballarat, coach Dan Jordan faces an extraordinarily tough uphill battle to get his side’s fairy-tale return to September after they failed to win a game at all last season.

Saturday was picture perfect conditions for football with barely a zephyr of breeze blowing to the Grant Street end of Darley Park.

The home side were without VFL listed players Billy Myers and Dylan Landt while Craig Cooper-Peters was a late call up to Footscray on the Redan front handing Liam Farnsworth his senior debut.

The first timer donned the number eight as was influential early across half forward, linking up with his new captain, Lachie George to kick the opener.

Brett Bewley answered with a bomb from outside 50 as two of this year’s Henderson Medal favourites in George and Bewely were making their claim in this one for the highest individual honour in the BFL.

With Jacob Short and Flynn Atchison behind the footy, the Lions were able to cut off any of Darley’s attacking forays with some wasteful use inside forward 50, making it a difficult afternoon for competition leading goal kicker Nick Rodda.

The spearhead finished with three in the end but it was not to be enough as Redan now have a glimmer of hope to give out going coach, Jarrett Giampaolo, the perfect send off in September.