Wounded Devils upset Bloods

By Todd Whelan

Darley Football Club

Darley moved to the top of the BFNL table with a drought-breaking 11-point win on the road over reigning Premiers Melton.

Round 2, 2017 (2226 days) was the last time the Devils celebrated in song with a win over the competition benchmarks.

Despite both sides missing key personnel, the highly anticipated top of the table meet lived up to all expectations, with numerous lead changes and special highlights reels amid ailing conditions. While the rain stayed away, the MacPherson Park tricky breeze, hard deck and sticky “middle” would ask questions of all players and, their ability to execute the fundamentals.

When the Bloods went 15 points up six minutes into the third term with three unanswered goals, Aaron Tymms’ boys looked well on their way to a 17th straight win at home.

But a resilient Devils army, led by fearless utility Billy Myers (three goals), progressive young mid Adam Azzopardi and rock-solid defender Matthew Brett were able to arrest momentum into the breeze, before the visitors were duly rewarded with back-to-back goals and within five points at the final change.

The Bloods were left lamenting missed opportunities in front of goal. From the six-minute mark of the third term and looking in control, the misfiring Bloods frustrated fans with nine straight behinds before falling short.

“Bad kicking is bad footy,” said coach Tymms.

In fairness, the Devils had two “posters” of their own, but the 11.10 to 8.17 score line is a true indicator in the difference of efficiencies.
Devils coach Dan Jordan had to wait 393 days between his first and second meets with the Bloods, and remained grounded in the aftermath.

“While we’ve still plenty to work on, I was proud of the boys’ efforts to execute our plan and stick to it, particularly with a few injured.” he said.

Important Devils midfielder Luther Baker will sweat on scans learning the severity of a nasty hamstring injury sustained in the final quarter, while Myers and Brett Bewley will welcome the Kings Birthday bye after looking hampered late in the day.

The Bloods were unable to get it done without midfield duo Jack Walker (concussion) and Lachie Watkins (illness), while Liam Carter (leg strain) left the field near the halfway mark and took no further part.

In more positive news for the winners, Myers, Adam Azzopardi and Matthew Brett’s lead roles were well supported by an entourage of willing Devils desperate for a seventh straight win on the road and conquering their six-year nemesis.

Former Captain Shane Page played a crucial role with his decision making, knowing when to defend and when to attack – his sureness aerially and efficiency by foot was a driving constant for the Devils when they were seemingly under the pump.

New season addition Billy Sullivan played his best game for his new club, his intensity and ability to square or even win the outnumber in tight space was crucial.

Lively forward Will Johnson (three goals) is seeing impact reward for his increase in fitness levels and brought X-factor, while Riley Matricardi and Dylan Bishop looked busy and hellbent keeping the ball locked inside the Devils forward 50.

Free running Andy Azzopardi and ex-Bloods inside mid Matt Denham provided plenty of spark in the second half to play significant roles either side of the contest.

Defender Zane Lehuray was solid once again under immense pressure, often denying the Bloods a maximum score on the last line.

Needless to add, experienced duo Bewley and Baker shouldered plenty of the load in the trenches before the jubilation and some degrees of relief in victory could be realised.

FINAL SCORE
Darley 11.10-76 def Melton 8.17-65

Darley (Whelan’s best) – B. Myers, Ad Azzopardi, M. Brett, S. Page, B. Sullivan, W. Johnson, Z. LeHuray, B. Bewley.
Darley (Goals) – B. Myers 3, W. Johnson, R. Matricardi 2, D. Bishop, D. Matricardi, An Azzopardi.