Devils jump Lions, win second premiership in three years

DARLEY coach Dan Jordan says he feels a sense of relief after the Devils claimed their second premiership in three years, delivering under the weight of expectation in last Saturday’s BFNL grand final against Sunbury.

A stirring 34-point triumph was rarely – if ever – in doubt after the Devils jumped the Lions in a 47-0 opening-quarter blitz.

Grant Hatcher celebrates one last goal for Darley in last Saturday’s 34-point grand final triumph over Sunbury at City Oval.

Sunbury, under the coaching of former Richmond and Port Adelaide wing Matthew White, did well to prevent the floodgates from further opening, but was always on the back foot against one of Victorian country football’s most polished outfits.

The Lions’ final score of 6.9 (45) was two points off the Devils’ opening-quarter contribution, underlining how well they did to keep things tight from there on.

Key forward Will Johnson savours premiership success.

But the damage had already been done, as the Devils, led by rampant former AFL players Brett Bewley and Nick Hind, ruckman Lucas Impey, Mitchell Gardiner and the elusive Mace Cousins (two goals), charged to an emotion-filled flag.

Having headed into the premiership decider off the back of 19 straight wins, Jordan insisted he would be lying if he said he was not a relieved man after the final siren.

Brett Bewley hits the scoreboard early for the Devils.

“We’ve been such a good side, particularly in the back third of the year, so you are always a bit anxious when you hit grand final day with the expectations on you to perform,” he said.

“But the boys were really dialled in; it was great to see them so focused.

“The first quarter certainly showed where the mindset was in terms of getting it done.

Darley players get around Harley Inglis after slotting the opening goal during a seven-goal first quarter blitz by the Devils.

“(The pre-game) was all about the opportunity we had and for us to actually set the tone, not to wait and see what happened

“It felt like in ’23 we waited back to see what happened, so it was about us being the aggressor this time and taking the bull by the horns,” he added in reference to the come-from-behind win two years ago over North Ballarat.

Nick Hind sets up another Darley forward thrust during a frenetic first quarter by the Devils.

“Fortunately we were able to do that and put the score on the board and get in front of the game.”

No one took heed of the edict to set the tone more than Hind.

The former Essendon defender, who was delisted by the Bombers at the end of the 2024 season, ignited the Devils with two first-quarter goals from half-back, while helping set up a few more.

Brett Bewley burns off Sunbury’s Jack Newitt.

Hind – the one major inclusion for the Devils this season – capped an industrious and dominant performance by winning the AFL Victoria Country Medal as best afield as voted by the umpires.

Bewley claimed the Roy Edward Memorial Trophy as best on ground as voted by the BFNL board.

Jordan could not sing the praises enough of his experienced duo and their impact on the club and contest.

Premiership captain Brett Bewley collected the Roy Edward Memorial Trophy as best on ground, as voted by the BFNL directors.

“Nick hasn’t played finals for a couple of years and it was his first grand final. I think he showed how much of an asset he was,” he said.

“We played him at half-back to surprise Sunbury. It worked.

“They’d put a bit of a time into him, but he’s an exceptional player down back.

Darley coach Dan Jordan addresses his midfield group during quarter-time.

“And I was rapt to see Brett get recognised. He’s the best player in the league by a mile for mine.

“His leadership and the standards that he sets for the group is why we are where we are.

“He’s just unbelievable.”

Zane Le Huray spoils effectively for Darley.

With two premierships in three years bookending an extra-time preliminary final defeat in 2024, the signs are pointing to a dynasty in the making.

Jordan, who joined the Devils as coach in 2022 following seven years with Essendon at AFL and VFL level, is hoping they are only just starting to scratch the surface.

Mace Cousins clears for Darley under pressure from Sunbury’s Mitch McLean.

“That’s the plan, we want to have sustained success and try and be a top three side every year,” he said.

“If you’re a top three side, you are always a chance of winning a premiership.

“That’s the aim. We have a really good program now with the young guys coming through.

“All bar Nick were one-point players today, so that’s a testament to the club, the development and the coaches coming through.”

Zane Le Huray and Mitchell Gardiner bring the pressure against Sunbury’s Brock Landt.

The premiership was Darley’s fourth since 2015, the year the club won its first in the BFNL.

An astonishing season for the Devils included not only a senior football premiership, but a senior women’s football flag and A and B-grade netball premierships.