Devils primed for flag

By Todd Whelan

Darley will endeavour to become the BFNL’s most successful team over the last 15 years when they meet North Ballarat in this Saturday’s Grand Final at City Oval.

The Devils enjoyed last weekend off after their 61 point Semi Final win over the Roosters, and look raring to go under Coach Dan Jordan in just his second year at the helm.

Jordan’s army held a light training session last Saturday on Darley Park before a barbeque and viewing of the Preliminary Final in their new $5 million facility.

It wasn’t long before the Devils would learn their Grand Final opponents, as North Ballarat kicked five unanswered goals in the opening term and the first nine goals of the game to end surprise packet East Point’s dream run.

North Ballarat, Darley, East Point and Redan have each won two Premierships dating back to 2009, with Saturday’s decider earning the winner a third, and bragging rights as the most successful club over the 15-year period.

Star midfielder Brett Bewley (comp rank #1 average disposals per game – 38.3) will lead the Devils onto City Oval for the clubs first Grand Final since 2017.

In-form dual Premiership player and Vice Captain Luther Baker, (comp rank #3 average for centre clearances per game) told radio ahead of the final series, this journey was more about the next generation.

“While I’d love to be part of another flag, this one is more about the young blokes and having them experience what we were lucky enough to,” he said.

The Bewley and Baker midfield combo have been fondly (to a degree) referred to as B1 and B2, a formidable pairing alongside integral season additions Matt Denham (21 disposals per game average) and promising young ruckman Lucas Impey (comp rank #1 for one-percenters average per game).

While plenty will be asked of Matthew Brett’s (comp rank #2 average intercept marks per game) young defensive group to hold up for another week, Devils key forwards Billy Myers (48 goals) and Darren Leonard (18 goals) must provide aerially against a sound North Ballarat defence led by Ryan Hobbs (4.5 avg intercepts per game), Isaac Lovisson (3.5 avg intercepts per game) and Josh Sparkman (25 disposals per game avg and 5.4 rebounds).

For all of the Devils’ dominance on the scoreboard at their recent semi-final meet, there was little discrepancy in clearance numbers – it was the more efficient and clean nature of their exits against a dominant ruckman that help set up the win.

Spread machines Shane Page and Bailey Young will look for ‘copy paste’ semi final performances on the club’s biggest day in six years.

Achieving greatness will take more than the brilliance of Bewley, the physicality of Myers, the wall of Brett, and the tireless work rate of Baker and Denham.

In fact, overcoming North Ballarat will require unrivalled discipline, buy-in and compliance from a much broader Devils group to truly deliver on the clubs MO for the season – “Get on board!”

Don’t miss it.

Whelan’s Tip – Darley 18 points

Saturday 23 September – 2pm
LIVE RADIO: Apple 98.5FM
LIVE STREAM: BFNL.com.au