Devils streak ends on Mars

Darley’s winning streak of 11 BFNL games has come to an end, at the hands of North Ballarat by three points, under lights at Mars Stadium. While the spectacle was rendered ‘a hard watch’ for many onlookers, the endeavour on display from both sides in tough conditions could not be questioned.

To put into perspective the nature of the arm wrestle, there were two goals kicked for the entire second half. Furthermore, North Ballarat won the game adding just two goals to their tally after quarter time.

The level of free flowing football you would like to see from a Grand Final rematch was denied by the evening dew, minimising any genuine aerial impact or efficiency in transition.

The last quarter especially was dour in its purest form, included 17 boundary throw ins and 14 ball-ups in general play.

Neither camp were prepared to make any excuses in the event of a loss, as Devils coach Dan Jordan conceded in the aftermath.

“Conditions are the same for both sides,” he said.

“You have to win a game of footy in a number of different ways, especially with two very organised sides.”

Despite the struggles of both teams, another grandstand finish played out, as North Ballarat newcomer Malachi White broke free in the dying seconds to kick his second goal of the night and the sealer, sending the Roosters faithful, who braved the cold night air, into raptures.

The Devils were brave in the clinches and did most things right, but found it difficult finding any real continuity in their play, recording their lowest score, well, since their last visit to Mars Stadium in 2023 (3.10-28).

Billy Myers was the standout and a class above, with his penetrating foot skills that most, if not all had their moments executing on the fundamentals.

Brett Bewley accumulated as he often does, while Luther Baker and Matty Denham were rarely away from the coalface, in a game that could easily have returned record stoppage numbers.

Duncan Cadman, Jake Ancrum, and Mitch Ward were the pick of the defenders in their particular roles, each different from the next, while Jack Bewley’s game high three goals off a wing almost proved the difference.

On a tough night for forwards, key tall Brady Wright battled manfully in the air, and was often outnumbered by a very organised defence hellbent on extending the Devils’ winning drought at Mars Stadium for another season.

Darley has not won at the venue since 2019.

Will Johnson added two goals to his four goal haul in Round 1, and looked dangerous whenever the ball came in his area. Johnson played a role in each of the Devils’ opening four goals to aid the visitors a slight two point advantage at the final change.

Off season North Ballarat additions Noah Cockerill (best), Liam Deering (two goals) and White played pivotal roles swinging the pendulum in the hosts favour, who were brave and resolute without top end talent Sam Glover (Collingwood VFL), Jack Riding (Werribee VFL), big man Cam McCullum (knee), Ryan Hobbs (hamstring), and Stewart Crameri (hamstring).

How the Devils coach rated their performance

Defence – Jordan (Darley): Reasonably solid and resolute in tough contest – Jake Ancrum, Duncan Cadman and Mitch Ward especially.

Mids – Jordan (Darley): Hard, tough physical contest provided by the group. Very proud of their endeavour…..were always prepared to put their head over the ball. Jack Bewley gave us something off a wing too which was encouraging.

Forwards – Jordan (Darley): Tough night in the conditions. Brady Wright was often outnumbered 2v1 but brought the ball to ground. Will Johnson looked dangerous. Dylan Bishop and Harley Inglis delivered on their forward half pressure to lock the ball in.

Overall – Jordan (Darley): The low scoring did not reflect the effort of both sides. The result could have gone either way, unfortunately North Ballarat had their noses in front at the final siren. While we didn’t get the result we were after, I was very proud of their effort.

Final scores: Darley 1.3-9, 4.4-28, 5.6-36, 5.8-38 lost to North Ballarat 3.6-24, 4.8-32, 4.10-34, 5.11-41. Darley (Whelan’s Best): B.Myers, B.Bewley, D.Cadman, J.Bewley, J.Ancrum, M.Ward, L.Baker.

Darley (Goals): J.Bewley 3, W.Johnson 2.

North Ballarat (Best): N.Cockerill, Ri.Polkinghorne, I.Carey, B.Leonard, S.Artz, S.Howard.

North Ballarat (Goals): L.Deering 2, M.White 2, J.Quick.