Devils survive Lions scare

DARLEY has dug deep to secure a crucial come-from-behind six-point win over a gallant Redan at City Oval

The hosts, buoyed by the inclusion of Cooper Craig-Peters (Footscray VFL) asked questions of a tiring core group of top-end Devils who have had to shoulder the load of recent weeks given a host of key outs.

Somehow, the Devils clawed their way back for a second week in a row after trailing by 19 points.

The win sees the reigning premiers in the mix for a prized top-three finish, a game shy of the top two and percentage ahead of North Ballarat (fourth) with seven games still to play.

Redan gave Dan Jordan’s touring party something to think about early having started well for the first time in five weeks with a five-goals-to-two opening term to set up a handy 18-point lead.

The margin extended to 19 at the main break, providing the visitors with enough time for a reset of sorts.

It proved that way given Darley were able to erase the lead in good time early in the second half.

It was an arm wrestle thereafter as scoring came to a near standstill.

As both sides traded blows in the form of mini wins to earn any advantage, it was the undermanned Devils who took their moments standing up in the clinches.

The game could easily have gone either way – a super effort from Marc Greig’s Pride who were able to reduce an 89-point margin four weeks ago down to six points at the weekend.

Scores were level with just a minute or so remaining before Joel Cadman (best) deservedly slotted the winner to give the Devils a third win in a row essentially under the pump.

Cadman, Bewley, Hind and Baker led the charge alongside defenders Brodie Ward and Zane Lehuray who celebrated key moments complemented with the run and distribution of Andy Azzopardi and Darcy Matricardi.

The Lions too were heading for a hat-trick of wins but fell agonisingly short in a proud showing against the odds.

 

Craig-Peters (two goals) was arguably ‘best on’, while Lachlan’s Bond finished with a game-high four goals.

Midfield trio Will Madden, Rory Gunsser and Brodie Pope were instrumental in their support roles and nearly pulled off one of the upsets of the season.

Both teams gave us every indication the bye has come at a good time to replenish stocks ahead of the final third of the season, which makes for compelling viewing.

Redan will give themselves an outside chance upsetting Sunbury on the road while the Devils are faced with another must-win game at home against East Point.

Jordan’s army are on a 16-game winning streak at Darley Park while the Kangas’ last success at the venue came over 10 years ago.

What the coaches said:

Darley – Dan Jordan

Grinding win against a Redan team who came to play.

Credit to them, they were on top at the half but our boys showed a bit of ticker after a reset to work back into the game and finish with our noses on front.

Very proud of the group, it’s been a big three weeks. We will savour the week off and get back to work.

It’s a very open comp this year, no easy games.

Backs: We didn’t have it all our own way in the first half and Redan opened us up a couple of times and looked dangerous.

Loved the battle of (Zane) Lehuray and Lachie Bond – I thought both were solid contributors and was rapt for Brodie Ward in the second half when he took his moments that were huge for us.

Mids: Very even battle I thought, credit to both camps for their effort – bit of talent floating around in there today!

Forwards: It’s well documented we’re a few shy down there but we won’t harp on that. We tried a number of things to manufacture a winning score. Again we were able to get goals from our lesser-known players who have played 10 games or less. Bonus outcome in a tight game.

Redan – Marc Greig

A game we learnt a lot from. We had early momentum and kicked out to a lead. Darley was always going to respond in the second half. We expected it but couldn’t stop it.

Seesawing last quarter when each moment counted for both teams and we couldn’t quite make our moments count.

Very pleased with the efforts from the lads.

Scores:

Redan 5.3 (33), 7.5 (47), 9.8 (62), 10.10 (70) lost to Darley 2.3 (15), 4.5 (29), 9.6 (60), 11.10 (76).

Goals: Redan – L. Bond 4, C. Craig-Peters 2, B. Pope, R. Gunsser, O. Pittard, B. McKay; Darley – K. Watkins 2, N. Hind 2, L. George 2, B. Bewley, J. Lesko, And. Azzopardi, G. Hatcher.

Best: Redan – C. Craig-Peters, L. Bond, W. Madden, R. Gunsser, B. Pope; Darley – J. Cadman, B. Ward, L. Baker, Z. Lehuray. And. Azzopardi, D. Matricardi.

TODD WHELAN