Devils flying high on Mars

DARLEY maintains its place at the top of the BFNL ladder after a physical 31 point win over an undermanned North Ballarat at Mars Stadium.

Unbeaten since roud one, the Devils made it seven wins on the trot, closing in on their previous winning streak record under Dan Jordan of 11 games that spanned from round 11, 2023 to round one 2024.

Internally however, those numbers will count for very little, as the Devils prepare for a top two showdown with last years Grand Finalists East Point on June 14th. The two sides haven’t met since their heartstopping, overtime Preliminary Final bout when the Kangas saluted to earn their place on the BFNL’s biggest stage.

Given the even nature of the current season, the Devils philosophy will be simple – just one game at a time for the extended home and away series. The advantage of a top three finish this year will be crucial with seamingly four sides in the race to occupy the pole positons. Only percentage seperates Darley, East Point and Melton while Sunbury loom, a game away in fourth.

Dual Henderson Medalist Brett Bewley is playing like a man on a mission, steering the Devils to an important win, dispelling any likelihoods of an upset. The Devils led from go to woe, won each of the opening three quarters and could easily have won by more but for an inaccurate third term that yielded three goals and eight behinds!

While Bewley again proved the headline act with his high number disposal count and four goals out of the midfield, the support cast continues to mount as a varying spread of players over recent weeks have landed among the best. Bily Myers continued with his stellar season behind the ball to lead the league’s current number one defensive unit alongside Matthew Brett.

Youngster Jarrod White was given the uneviable task containing Roosters x-factor forward Jamie Quick (two goals) and did enough to earn the plaudits of the Devils hierachy in the aftermath

Despite under rated defender Zane Lehuray missing a second week with a foot complaint, the Devils were aided by the improving Mitch Gardiner and Werribee VFL listed talent Mace Cousins who continues to progress having returned from injury.

Midfield pair Nick Hind and Luther Baker worked hard all day in conjuction with Bewley and wingmen Joel Cadman and Darcy Matricardi who had arguably his best game in his third season at the club.

Dangerous in-form forward Wil Johnson (four goals) joined Melton’s Braedyn Kight in equal third place for the Tony Lockett Medal behind leader Jake Owen (Bacchus Marsh) and Jake Sutton (Sunbury).

It was the sixth occasion in eight games this year Johnson has booted multiple goals. Injury free Johnson is covering the ground a lot better, has worked on his craft and is on track to surpass his 40 goal season in the Devils 2023 Premiership year.

North Ballarat’s outside chances were dealt a severe blow when ruckman Cam McCullum (ribs) left the ground just five minutes into the first quarter – done for the day.

Given the late outs of named duo Jalen Thorpe (illness) and Mal White (shin) the task was made even more difficult for new season Coach Proctor who conceded his side can’t take a trick at the moment. Brock Leonard, Elliot Lamb, Hugh Trigg, Tom Phillips, Tom Bromley-Lynch and Fletcher Loader were also missing due to injury or unavailability.

Time could well run out for the Roosters (2.5 wins) who are desperate to get their soldiers back and resemble something closer to their best 22. For that group, let it be said, would be capable of causing a headache in September.

That is, of course, if they make it (top six)!

What the coaches said…..

Overall

Jordan (Darley); “Pleasing to get a win at Mars Stadium, it’s never easy. Essentially, it was a very physical game. Credit to North Ballarat who cracked in all day a few soldiers down, no less than their ruckman who they lost early. Proud of the boys, if not for some errant ball use I thought we could have won by a bit more. Again, learnings out of a win always better than the alternative.”

Proctor (N/Ballarat); “Plenty in the match  on and off the field – so the rivalry continues..

I thought Darley’s ability to find marks in dangerous areas forward of the field was too difficult to deal with – our turnovers hurt us a bit today. We lost (Cam) McCullum in the first five minutes so to be able to compete and hold our own inside with a makeshift midfield was a fair effort against such an experenced midfield.”

BACKS

Jordan (Darley); “Good again. Billy Myers was super. Jarrod White responded well to a tough assignment on Jamie Quick while the form of Mitch Gardiner and Mace Cousins (second game this year) was promising.”

MIDS

Jordan (Darley); “Solid contribution on the whole. Brett Bewley was outstanding, Nick (Hind) and Luther (Baker) serviceable and we pleased to get some drive from our wingmen – Darcy Matricardi and Joel Cadman.”

FORWARDS

Jordan (Darley); “Will Johnson was dangerous all day. What he didn’t mark he btought to ground and gave our smalls a real chance to hit the scoreboard. Unfortunately our decision making at times and errant ball use denied us greater separation on the scoreboard. (I) reckon we left another five goals out there..”

Scores

Darley; 3.3-21, 6.7-43, 9.15-69, 12.15-87 def

N/Ballarat; 1.1-7, 4.2-26, 5.3-33, 8.8-56

Darley (Best); B.Bewley, B.Myers, D.Matricardi, W.Johnson, H.Inglis, J.White.

N/Ballarat (Best); J.Sparkman, I.Carey, S.Artz, H.Lewis, T.McMillan, D.Penny.

Darley (Goals); W.Johnson 4, B.Bewley 4, And.Azzopardi 2, M.Gardiner, H.Inglis.

N/Ballarat (Goals); J.Quick 2, H.Lewis 2, J.Sparkman, N.Jolly, D.Morris, W.Quinlan.