Devils, Cobras primed for BFLW top-two clash

REIGNING premier Darley and Bacchus Marsh have continued their dominance at the top of the BFLW senior women’s ladder ahead of their showdown this Saturday night, with weekend victories over fellow finals rivals.

The Devils (10-1) maintained their hold on top spot with a hard-fought 26-point win over a strengthening East Point at Darley Park on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, second-placed Bacchus Marsh (9-1) kept the pressure on the Devils above with a clinical 68-point win over Ballarat at Maddingley Park on Sunday.

A loss for the Swans saw Redan regain third spot on the ladder following the Lions’ 112-point win over Carisbrook at City Oval.

In a solid full-team effort, Olivia Dilges, Amy Garofalo, Tara Keenan, Jazmine Dalli and Indi Stanley were the standouts in Bacchus Marsh’s win over Ballarat.

Garofalo led the way on the scoreboard with four goals, while Cobras interleague representative Ella Bradbury and Isabella Faralla both kicked three.

The Cobras led 4.2 to 0.2 at half-time and put the result beyond doubt with a two-goal-to-one third term, before saving their best for last with a six-goal-to-nil final term.

Tilly Ferguson was the Swans’ lone goal scorer, joined in the best players by the ultra-consistent Sunday Doddrell, Chloe Everett, skipper Shellby Lonie, Charley Gartlan and Aiva Ross.

The win was the Cobras’ second over the Swans this season and the ideal warm-up for a top-two showdown with Darley.

Bacchus Marsh and Ballarat will meet for a third time in the final home and away round at Alfredton on 2 August.

Darley’s premiership defence is on track despite the Devils not having it all their own way in a win over East Point.

The Devils looked to be cruising when they led 4.1 to 0.0 at quarter-time but the Dragons, with Abbey Bertram back on deck, dug in for the fight.

While the Dragons still trailed by 31 points at three-quarter-time, a pair of final-quarter goals added much respectability to the scoreboard.

Gun forward Kim Bessell booted five of the Devils’ seven goals for the game, while the likes of Trinity Skenderis (one goal), Charlotte Hill, Ruby Thomas, Zaylie Le Huray, Taylah Brady and Tayla Debono won plenty of ball to keep their side on top.

Back for the first time since round 11, Bertram was the Dragons’ clear best, with another player to have experienced plenty of interruption with injury this season Katie McAloon also prominent alongside Jemma Costigan, Millie Stewart, Jessica Robertson and Jaslyn Skilbeck.

East Point is guaranteed to finish fifth at the end of the home and away season and can likely start preparing for an elimination final showdown against Ballarat.

This Saturday night’s clash will be the Devils’ and Cobras’ second this season.

Bacchus Marsh won a thriller by nine points in round 5 at Darley Park, coming from six-points behind at half-time to set up a 14-point lead going into the final term.

The Devils dominated the final term, but could add only five behinds while keeping the Cobras scoreless.

Melanie Freeman, Garofalo (four goals), Bradbury (Bacchus Marsh) and Sarah Tabone, Skenderis and Hill (Darley) were key performers for their teams.

The shining lights in Redan’s shut-out win over Carisbrook were Jess Bokma, who booted five goals, Kristen Prebble (three), Rose Russell, Madison Hayes, Chantelle Whiting and Ingrid Duffy.

In other games as part of Wellness Round this weekend, Redan plays East Point at City Oval and Carisbrook and Lake Wendouree clash at Carisbrook in what is likely the last chance for both sides to get one final win this season.

The Lakers are currently without a win, while the Redbacks have one. More sport from page 21.