Nice season opener

Darley Football Club  By Todd Whelan

Darley’s six-point win on the road against finals aspirant Sebastopol was one for the players and the fans especially, while new Coach Dan Jordan opted the ‘lid on’ measured approach in the aftermath.

“We did some good things today,” Jordan said

“It gives us something to work with going forward.”

“While I’m really happy for the players and the club to chalk up that early win, our journey has just begun,” he said.

Son of a gun youngster Mace Cousins donning his father’s number 14 guernsey from a bygone era was named best for the Devils in a real confidence boost for the former Western Jet.

Jack Bewley continued his recent run of form out of the recent practice match against Rowville, to feature among the better players while older brother Brett (two goals), gave Devils fans a taste of what’s to come with moments of pure class finishing and penetration by foot. The former Fremantle Docker and his hard working mid offsider Luther Baker were ‘off the charts’ in the opening half according to Sebastopol coach Michael Searle who left for a whirlwind round family trip to the UK on Sunday.

“We were pretty poor early, our disposal really let us down,” Searle said.

“Even without the ball, we couldn’t contain Baker and (Brett) Bewley.

“There influence was significant and we tried to address the issue at half time.”

According to Searle the Devils early pressure was solid and triggered indecision that led to costly turnovers.

“Even when we thought we were away, the boys were all too consumed by perceived pressure.

“It wasn’t our finest hour,” he said.

The Devils kicked with the aid of a four goal breeze in the opening term to have the home side reeling 30 points in arrears. Despite being outscored in the second stanza, the Devils were able to add two crucial goals into the breeze as the Burra’s failed to fully capitilise to the scoring end. When the margin stretched to 38 at the final change, the script writers went to work – leading with the Devils impending upset win over Sebas. Despite the score getting a little too close for comfort, the Devils hung on to sing the song in full voice. It’d been a while.

Devil’s coach Dan Jordan told “The Presser” on Wednesday night ahead of Round one that regardless of the result, it will be all part of a greater journey, applying the old adage that “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

The Devils 1-0 start, implies that at least some of the foundation has been laid.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-04-12/21

in the 12 April 2022 edition
OR
pick up a paper around your town.