Devils retain bragging rights

By Todd Whelan

Bacchus Marsh v Darley

Darley simply ‘did enough’ to hold out a spirited Bacchus Marsh in last Saturday’s local derby at Maddingley Park. Dan Jordan’s men won all four quarters going on to win comfortably by 50 points.

The Devils started warm favorites and looked every bit the superior team at quarter time leading by 28 points. But the Cobras dug in after the break denying the Devils a game entirely on their own terms.

While the skill execution of both sides was below par for a glorious sun kissed autumn day, one couldn’t doubt the commitment on display in front of the typically large crowd in attendance.

Both sides welcomed notable inclusions with varying degrees of impact. For the Devils, now Geelong VFL-listed player Mace Cousins won the Greg Light Medal, debutant ruckman Lucas Impey impressed shading his more experienced opponent Luke Goetz while experienced duo Billy Myers and Matty Brett will be better for the run. The Cobras were buoyed with the return of a handful of Western Jets / GW Rebels Under 18 talent with each having their moments to show off their progress. Joshua Huxtable was arguably the Cobras’ best player behind new recruit Jake McReery while Joel Freeman (two goals), Isaac Nixon, Jack Kovacevic and Callum Smith performed admirably.

The Devils remain one of four undefeated BFNL teams after two rounds and are on the road again this week for a meeting with East Point (1-0). The Cobras (0-2) face North Ballarat (1-1) at Maddingley Park in Apple 98.5FM’s Match of the Round. All the action LIVE from 2pm.

How the coaches rated their performance
Backs – Williams (B/Marsh): “Finding the right mix of players behind the ball remains a challenge although we are learning every time we pick a side and play.”
Jordan (Darley): “Solid game defensively where we threw a few different players through.”
Mids – Williams (B/Marsh): “Our transition from defence to offence was solid. Our growth will come in transition from offence to defence.”
Jordan (Darley): “Competed hard but lost structure at times. Good first game from Lucas Impey.”
Forwards – Williams (B/Marsh): (Our) energy and effort to create a contest was great, adding front and centre crumbing will be our improvement.”
Jordan (Darley): “Good aerially but a bit sloppy on the deck. Some better conversion from both our forwards and mids would’ve seen us apply more scoreboard pressure.”

Final scores
Bacchus Marsh 6.8-44 lost Darley 13.16-94

BEST
B/Marsh – J. McReery, J. Huxtable, T. Shea, E. Ogden, K. Tyrell, S. LaFranchi.
Darley – B. Bewley, L. Impey, B. Young, M. Cousins, S. Page, S. Ancrum.

GOALS
B/Marsh – J. Freeman 2, J. McReery 2, J. Owen, J. Huxtable,
Darley – B. Bewley 3, T. Angwin 2, L. Spiteri, B. Myers, M. Brett, D. Bishop, R. Matricardi, W. Johnson, S. Page, L. Impey.