These girls did it

By Todd Whelan

A dominant Darley outfit secured its maiden BFNLW Premiership with a 50-point win over Redan at Mars Stadium in Ballarat last Saturday.

The win validates a 12-month road to redemption for the Devils who fell short of the Lions on the competitions biggest day in 2022.

The Devils confidence levels heading in were sky high on the back of their Second Semi Final win over the Lions a fortnight ago.

But an opening goal to kickstart proceedings from the once benchmarks of the BFNLW was enough to ground the Devils, posing a trigger, prompting the old adage of ‘time to get to work’.

And that they did.

Brett Faulkheads Devils kicked the next seven goals of the game to set up an unassailable 44 point lead at three quarter time.

Centurion goalkicker Kim Bessell hinted in the aftermath, the dream of becoming a Premiership player with the Devils was becoming reality as early as the third term.

“The girls smashed it,” a clearly relieved Bessell said.

Despite the untimely scheduling of the BFNLW Grand Final clashing with the Men’s Second Semi Final, word spread quickly via the BFNLW match centre and socials the Devils had duly saluted and were enroute back to Darley Park to celebrate inside the clubs new $5 million facility.

The girls returned amid riotous applause and were led into a celebratory rendition of the Devils victory theme song.

Devils Captain and Best on Ground Medal winner Lilli Condon addressed the room upon their return, graciously ticking all the boxes, short and sweet.
“I’m so proud of the girls and their effort today for this great club,” she said.

“A big thank you for the balloons they look great and to everyone at the club for sticking around to welcome us home.”

Faulkhead endorsed the proud, celebratory nature of the achievement and was humble upon the realisation he was essentially a Premiership coach in his first year.

Side by side, the Devils were crowned BFNLW champions for season 2023.

Final Score
Darley 9.11-65 def Redan 2.3-15
Darley (Best) – Team effort
Darley (Goals) – L. Condon 3, K. Bessell, T. Henry 1, E. Tyson, A. Humphries.