Devils hold edge over Cobras

TOP-of-the-table Darley made it seven local derbies in a row and their 12th straight win at club level last weekend, surpassing their previous best of 11 games under fourth-year coach Dan Jordan.

A second quarter solo performance from youngster Jayven Tanner helped set up the win before he slotted a game-high fifth major midway through the third term to help the Devils reel in a 13-point deficit after Callum Smith made it three unanswered goals from the visitors.

Cobra fans had every reason to be excited up until they lost key playmaker and leading goalkicker Jake Owen, who suffered a compound fracture of the finger that is expected to sideline him for at least the next three weeks. The Devils booted seven of the last nine goals of the game to get the job done.

Credit to the underdog Cobras, arriving with a clear plan to minimise the impact of a stacked Devils midfield who have had an unbelievable six-week block. Jamie Fulton, Jack Parente and Jake McCreery went head to head with Devils trio Brett Bewley, Nick Hind and Luther Baker while pinch-hitter Mickey Edwards had the uneviable task up against Cobras bigman Luke Goetz (comp rank No.1).

 

While Hind was arguably the pick of the bunch the critique on the ruck dual had some kickback of its own when measuring Goetz’s tap dominance v Edwards’s hard work impact and accumulation around the ground. However, individuals aside it was all about the team result. The Devils, boasting some seven or eight players still eligible for the under-18 comp, held their nerve to have Jordan smiling from ear to ear from the victory, maintaining a game clear advantage from East Point at the top of the table.

Wth 12 wins and just the one loss next to their name, Darley may look to rest a few bodies in the upcoming hitout against the winless Lakers.

No such luck for the Cobras, who look to consolidate their place inside the top six chasing a seventh win of the season. Unfortuately they face three of the top four sides in the remaining five-week period and will need to get it done without Owen.

The Cobras are away to East Point, who have won their last 14 games at Eastern Oval.

 

How the coaches rated their performance:

Overall:

Jordan (Darley): “Grinding win against a team who definitely came to play. Their intensity around the contest and dominance aerially in the ruck made us earn any advantage. We had seven/eight players still eligible for the under-18.5 competition play today and all executed their role which was really important for us securing the points.”

Armfield (Bacchus Marsh): “Unfortunately another close loss to a top quality side. We came out and executed very well but didn’t make the most of our chances (early) with nine scoring shots to three but only led by a point. (We) lost a few soldiers in the second half which forced us to adjust mid-game and I couldn’t have been more proud of the fight of our young group, to maintain the arm wrestle to the final siren. Now we move onto another great unit in East Point.”

 

Defence:

Jordan: “The match-up between Billy Myers and Jake Owen added another point of interest to the game. I think at one stage when Billy went onto the ball in the second half, five of our six defenders were aged 21 or under, which was really encouraging for the development of our group. Mitch Gardiner and Jarrod Wight im particular executed their roles well.”

Armfield: “We fought hard, especially against the breeze at times. Our rebound work was quality, however at times we got caught on the turnover.”

 

Mids:

Jordan: “Great battle, neither side were afforded any room. It was primarily a battle fought on the inside so both teams had to fight tooth and nail for any advantage. Clearly Luke Goetz was dominant winning his hit-outs but we thought Mickey Edwards had the better of him around the ground and spread.”

Armfield: “We came in with a plan and executed all day, started the pressure and balanced between inside and out. Making huge steps in cohesion.”

Forwards:

Jordan: “We battled hard in an area we continue to work on – the connection space. Wil Johnson won a two-v-one that earned us a goal which is always pleasing while the standout was Jayven Tanner with his four-goal second term before he finshed with five for the game.”

Armfield: “We were able to lock it in and create repeat stoppages for most of the day. We had more scoring shots.”

 

Final scores:

Darley 3.0 (18), 7.2 (44), 11.2 (68), 15.5 (95) def Bacchus Marsh 3.7 (25), 5.8 (38), 9.9 (63), 11.12 (78).

Whelan’s best: Darley – N. Hind, M. Edwards, J. Tanner, D. Matricardi, J. Cadman, L. Baker.

Goals: Darley – J. Tanner 5, J. Cadman 2, G. Hatcher 2, M. Edwards, W. Johnson, L. Baker, An. Azopardi, R. Younger, J. Bewley.

Whelan’s best: Bacchus Marsh – J. Fulton, J. Parente, R. Penny, L. Goetz, A. Craig, C. Gates.

Goals: Bacchus Marsh – J. Huxtable 2, J. Parente, J. Owen, L. Goetz, C. Smith, I. Nixon, K. Tyrell, J. McCreery, A. Morgan, J. Fulton.