Devils homecoming no fairy tale

By Todd Whelan

Darley slipped to fourth place on the BFNL table after a disappointing 18-point loss to Redan at the weekend.

The highly anticipated return to Darley Park ended in a fizzer for Dan Jordan’s men, culminating in a second straight loss.

The Devils had few winners on the ground, winning just one quarter for the match resembling a shell of the team that went 7-0 to start the season.

You can theorise all you like, but the reality is the Devils are simply not coping without key personnel Billy Myers (ankle), Luther Baker (hamstring), Bailey Young (shoulder), Mace Cousins (Geelong VFL), Duncan Cadman (concussion), Lucas Impey (Western Jets) and Jake Ancrum (overseas).

Given Redan had some important absentees of their own, Saturday’s outcome was always going to tell its own story of depth comparison between the two clubs. All honours with Redan seizing the moment. Their ability to outwork and outnumber the Devils both inside the contest and out was a recurring pattern for the afternoon. As a result, the Lions were cleaner extricating from stoppage, allowing more effective ball movement on the outside, placing the once ladder leaders on the back foot.

Devils Captain Brett Bewley near single handedly kept the home side in the game until 3/4 time, reducing a 20-point deficit at the main break to just five at the last, his metres gained by foot and tireless bullocking work, with very little protection, was another blue print example of his superior standing in the game. However, the absence of Baker in his support role for the reigning Henderson Medalist was palpable.

Will Johnson (four goals) and Riley Matricardi (two goals) provided some aerial presence that was otherwise a non-existent feature for the Devils.

Clunky execution of the basic fundamentals (at the level) became the Devils undoing, costing them any chance of a dream return to their homeland.

With the week off for interleague, the Devils wounded soldiers get another 14 days into their recovery, while there’s plenty of work to be done for the current band of frontline soldiers.

The Devils meet second placed Sebastopol in Round 11 at Darley Park. That, I assure you, won’t be any easier.

Coaches’ verdict

Baker (Darley Footy Mgr) – “Our skills have been poor over the last fortnight. Our inability to find a target through the middle of the ground cost us. We got within a goal at 3/4 time but they were always able to reply. Redan have some really good young talent and thoroughly deserved the win.”

Learmonth (Redan) – “We competed really well for four quarters and were pleased with our spread of goalkickers and our ability to respond when Darley was able to kick a goal. (We) understand the Devils had a few out but Lachie George, Liam Hoy and Lachie McLean will only make us better.”

FINAL SCORE
Darley 11.13-79 lost Redan 15.7-97

Darley (Whelan’s Best) – B. Bewley, R. Matricardi, W. Johnson, S. Page, M. Denham.
Darley (Goals) – W. Johnson 4, R. Matricardi 2, B. Bewley 1, C. Murley, D. Matricardi, S. Page, D. Bishop