Devils hold out hungry Swans

DARLEY simply did what it had to do on the road, holding out a desperate young Swans outfit by 25 points at Alfredton Oval.

The difference, need it be said, was Devils pair Brett Bewley and Nick Hind.

The two combined for a third of the Devils’ goals and 84 disposals. Bewley continued his stellar season leading from the front with another best-on-ground four-goal, 47-possession game, while Hind’s support role of a goal and 37 of his own had them standing out of the crowd. And crowded it was.

The Swans, as promised by coach Ash Baker, brought the heat – enough to lead their more fancied rivals by a goal at quarter-time.

 

But through the middle of the game the Devils were able to flex their muscles and enjoy their best moments on the score front, booting 10 goals to five.

The 21-point Devils lead at three-quarter-time provided enough cushion to hold out the Swans in a grinding, hard-fought win.

The Swans added a wayward 2.6 for the last quarter to the Devils’ 3.4 but the ladder leaders always looked as though they would do enough.

Expect teams at the pointy end to be challenged deeper into games the longer the season goes on.

Maintaining health and peak performance from week to week remains an ongoing challenge – one that will seal a few teams’ fate on the run home.

The Devils blooded two new youngsters, which was really exciting for them in the absence of Duncan Cadman (overseas), Jack Crawford (soreness), Zane Lehuray (foot), and Leigh Spiteri (chest).

Rhys Younger finished with a goal on his debut to make it a memorable one, while 15-year-old Jet Darcy could be the next Darley product set for bigger things.

The Devils hierachy named Darcy in the best and he wasn’t lost on his biggest stage thus far.

 

Brady Wright (Werribee), Mace Cousins (Werribee) and Lucas Impey (Williamstown) all missed at the weekend, adding further merit to the nature of the Devils’ win.

But they need to get used to winning without them and an 11th win on the trot gives every indication things are travelling just fine under Dan Jordan in his fourth season at the helm.

Bacchus Marsh awaits in round 13 for the Devils. If they weren’t already before, Jordan better get used to being the hunted for the duration.

What the coaches said

OVERALL –

Jordan (Darley): “Happy with the win, today proved what we’ve always known to be an even season. Ballarat were ferocious with their attack on the footy and came to play. Encouraging signs for both sides moving forward. We were made to work hard for the win. Our focus shifts to an in-form Bacchus Marsh.”

 

Baker (Ballarat): “Whilst disappointed today, our boys were brave in the way we attacked the contest. The game threatened to open up a couple of times, but we were able to keep coming at Darley, applying plenty of pressure. In the end, Darley’s class stood out – they’re an impressive unit who are well drilled.”

BACKS –

Jordan: “Fought hard, match-ups were right but we coughed up a couple of goals which is a reminder we need to get back to work.”

MIDS –

Jordan: “Brett (Bewley) and Nick (Hind) were super for us and brought the polish around the scrap to get the separation we needed to go forward and score.”

FORWARDS –

Jordan: “Tried hard, Johnno (Wil Johnson), Mickey Edwards and Harley (Inglis) were workmanlike and looked dangerous when the ball was in their area. Credit to the Ballarat defence, they held up well for the most part despite our 15-goal scoreline.”

Scores

Darley 2.2 (14), 7.5 (47), 12.4 (76), 15.8 (98) def

Ballarat 3.2 (20), 5.3 (33), 8.7 (55), 10.13 (73).

Best: Darley – B. Bewley, N. Hind, D. Matricardi, H. Inglis, L. Baker, J. Darcey;

Ballarat – L. Rinaldi, F. Perkins, T. Maple, Z. Rinaldi, H. Butler, R. Constable.

Goals: Darley – B. Bewley 4, M. Edwards 2, W. Johnson 2, B. Myers, G. Hatcher, D. Fawcett, N. Hind, B. Myers, H. Inglis, R. Younger;

Ballarat – F. Perkins 3, L. Rinaldi 2, H. Butler 2, A. Hooper, W. Squires, F. Dix.