Undefeated hat-trick of wins

By Todd Whelan

Darley remains one of two unbeaten BFNL teams following a 39 point win on the road over East Point. The Devils came to play early, delivering the heat to unsettle the young Kangas, opening up a 27 point lead at quarter time. The 4.9 to 1.0 scoreline suggests the separation could easily have been greater. What transpired thereafter was considerably more even on the scoring front but again the Devils held sway with some late goals. New Kangas coach Jackson Merrett is under no illusions where his team is at, and quite conscious of their age profile. Merrett conceded the game was put to bed in the first quarter but gave credit to his boys for the remaining three quarters despite being outscored 10.7 to 8.7. Liam Canny and Matty Johnston were named their best.

For the winners, Devils coach Dan Jordan was just happy to claim the Premiership points to make it a hatrick of road wins to start 2023, ahead of a bye in Round 4. Full time Devils addition Billy Myers (four goals), is building into resembling his best while Shane Page and Brett Bewley (three goals), continued their good form to start the season. The Devils enjoy the week off ahead of a Match of the Round billing with Sunbury in Round five.

Devils coach Dan Jordan
Backs – “Solid defensive effort particularly in the first half. As the game opened, they were challenged by East’s forwards getting good isolation.”
Mids – “Really compliant and strong in the first half. East got on top around stoppage in the third (quarter) but we were able to adjust and negate.”
Forwards – “Good isolation and movement assisted us getting good opportunities on goal. Failure to convert is an area for growth.”

RESULTS
Darley 4.9-33, 8.12-60, 9.14-68, 14.16-100
def
East Point 1.0-6, 5.0-30, 7.3-45, 9.7-61
Darley (Best) – S. Page, B. Bewley, B. Myers, D. Bishop, M. Cousins, J. Cadman.
Darley (Goals) – B. Myers 4, B. Bewley 3, S. Page 2, D. Bishop, J. Cadman 1, M. Cousins, D. Matricardi.