Eyes on double chance

By Todd Whelan

Darley moved into outright second place with a dogged four quarter win over North Ballarat last Saturday.

In a heavily contested ‘inside’ affair it was the Devils top end talent that proved the difference, restricting Brendan McCartney’s Roosters to their lowest score of the season on a near perfect winter’s day for football at Darley Park.

Despite the late withdrawal of Jack Riding (Werribee VFL) and the absence of playmaker Jamie Quick (concussion) there were no excuses for the visitors, as the Devils defence led by Matthew Brett held sway, despite the threat of Collingwood VFL listed Sam Glover (one goal) who was well held by Zane LeHuray. Credit to coach Dan Jordan entrusting the 20-year-old with the challenge. The Devils connection in the back half was palpable, their frugality highlighted by the scoreboard (5.7) at afternoons end.

Between the arcs, the Devils were always going to be up against it around stoppage given the size advantage of Roosters big man Callum McCullum who was always going to win majority of hit-outs.

Billy Myers tried to expose McCullum with his mobility and second, third efforts around the ground, while Brett Bewley, Matt Denham, Luther Baker and Adam Azzopardi waited feverishly in rotation at the feet of the source for any clearance opportunity.

The ‘seagulls to a chip’ nature around stoppage was the catalyst for repeat intervention from the umpires with above average ball-up numbers. For all of McCullum’s tap dominance it did not equate to landslide clearance numbers for the visitors despite the efforts of Stewart Crameri, Riley Polkinghorne, Brock Leonard and Tom Bromley-Lynch.

The Devils majority weight of possession was rarely vindicated on the scoreboard as the North Ballarat defence continued to rally under repeated pressure, denying the Devils their final piece in transition.

Shane Page and Bailey Young were pivotal with their rebound run and carry, Page especially.

The former Captain has been one of the Devils most consistent players this year featuring In the best on 12 of 13 occasions. Some form.

The Devils forward connection remains a work in progress, again ‘bang for buck’ seemingly shy on its untapped potential.

Despite the frustrations around completion of the club’s new facility the Devils future was buoyed with the re-signing of coach Dan Jordan for another two years.

The club remains in good hands after a 17th win at the weekend from their last 21 games. Only reigning Premiers Melton have won more for the period (19).

What the coaches said
Jordan (Darley) – “A good performance against an undermanned North Ballarat outfit. We were strong in the contest and executed mostly what we wanted for the day. Still plenty to work on.”

McCartney (North) – “Tough day for us, Darley were strong in all areas of the game in particular overhead and owning the outside of the ground. Dan is a high-quality coach and is building a team equipped for finals success. Another challenge presents for us next week to put some of learnings to the test.”

FINAL SCORE
Darley 10.11 71 def North Ballarat 5.7 37

Darley (Whelan’s Best) – M. Brett, B. Bewley, S. Page, Z. Lehuray, D. Cadman, Ad Azzopardi, B. Myers, B. Young.
Darley (Goals) – J. Cadman 2, D. Leonard, M. Gardiner 1, B. Myers, D. Bishop, D. Matricardi, S. Page, B. Bewley.