Daring Devils glide past Lions

DARLEY has extended its remarkable run of recent dominance over Redan, slogging its way to a 27-point win on a Western Oval mudbath in round 10 of the BFLW senior premiership season.

The Devils made it a clean sweep of their three home and away season clashes against the Lions, prevailing in another tough fight 7.7 (49) to 3.4 (22).

Combined with last year’s stirring grand final triumph, which capped a premiership three-peat, the Devils have now beaten the Lions on four straight occasions.

Played in atrocious conditions, Darley signalled its intentions early with a three-goal-to-one opening quarter and had the game on its terms by half-time, holding a 21-point lead.

A second-half arm-wrestle saw the Devils add two goals to one to put the seal on a well-earned win.

In part due to the conditions and also Redan’s pressure, Darley coach Danyel Waters said the Devils were not at their very best all game, particularly early in the piece.

“Being very wet under ground made it difficult to move, so there was a lot of turnover early in the game … and probably unnecessary turnover,” she said.

“We were basically just trying to get the ball out of the slosh, so it did affect the finesse of the game and it didn’t look all that great in the first quarter.

“But we tried to adapt to the conditions by the second and by the third and fourth no one really cared about the mud and wet, it was heads down.”

One of the most compelling rivalries in Ballarat region sport, it was the first time Darley has beaten Redan in all of their home and away season matches in a given season.

While there is still plenty to play out in 2026 and with the rivals almost certain to clash again at some stage later this season, Waters said it was great for the game to see both side’s lineups ‘stacked’ on Sunday.

“We both had some (under) 19s playing and both had quite a full bench, so it was pretty even in terms of ability,” she said.

“We always have a little bit of confidence going into a Redan game as we trust in our speed and fitness.

“That said, speed wasn’t working to our advantage at all in those conditions, but we were able to stay in the game with our endurance, which is definitely one of our strengths.”

Mid-season recruit Melina Ciavarella, from VFLW club Williamstown, again starred for the Devils with a dynamic midfield performance.

“She is such a force,” Waters said.

“It’s tricky when you have players in the VFLW system; they don’t get to come along to training sessions and things like that.

“There are some restrictions at that level in terms of local training.

“We only get to see her on game day, but to her credit, the girls know her and she brings that elite mindset and that footy IQ into the game and into the huddles and helps the team see things from a higher-level perspective.

“We love having her.”

Other Devils to feature prominently included Sharni Battye, ball-magnet Ruby Thomas, Leivi Lane, Tayla Debono, and Emmerson Hitch.

Given the conditions, Thomas’s two goals proved crucial as did three from sharpshooter Kim Bessell, whose season tally moved to 26.

Again without Nicola Carke, the Lions had wonderful contributors in Madison Hayes, Rose Russell, Carly Twaits, Rebecca Van Oorschot, Kristen Prebble and Rachel Middlin.

The Devils’ seventh win from eight matches has them poised to pounce on top spot behind Bacchus Marsh, also on seven wins but from nine games.

Redan remains in fourth spot.

Darley will play East Point in Ballarat this Sunday, while Redan has the bye.

Elsewhere last weekend, Ballarat moved a game clear of East Point in the battle for fourth spot with a shut-out 140-point win over Carisbrook at Alfredton Recreation Reserve.

Speedster Chloe Everett booted three goals for the Swans, who were well led by captain Shellby Lonie, ruck Charley Gartlan and Alex Gladman.

Sunday Doddrell continued her blistering season form, while rising star Macy Irvin capped off her fine work around the ground with three goals.

At White Flat Oval, Bacchus Marsh extended its stay at the top of the ladder with a 57-point win over the Dragons.

Danielle Roczniak, Jamie-Lee Speakman, Charli O’Connor, Amy Garofalo, Ella Bradbury and Tara Keenan were the Cobras’ standouts.

Garofalo led the way on the scoreboard with three goals, boosting her season tally to 23.

Grace Vermeend, Rebecca Piper, Millie Stewart and Abbey Bertram led the resistance for the Dragons, who had the services of their co-coach Katie McAloon for the first time this season following a knee injury.

More sport from page 25.