![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/04\/DSC_0516_66963.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
“We didn’t really know what to expect with Ballarat knowing they were a new side, but we did know they were young and fast and we didn’t want to underestimate them,” she said.<\/p>\n
“They rattled us a bit in that first quarter.<\/p>\n
“But we got back to playing our game and got back on track.”<\/p>\n
The changing dynamics within her own side is something Waters still views as a work in progress.<\/p>\n
“We are quite a new side in terms of having that (premiership) history of the last three years,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Half of our players are either new to the side or have been coming up through the Darley 19s.<\/p>\n
“Getting to know each other and develop our chemistry with another is really important.<\/p>\n
“It just took that first quarter and a bit of a readjustment to get it back.”<\/p>\n
Of those missing from last year’s line-up, back-to-back league medallist Lilli Condon has gone overseas, four have moved interstate and two others have retired.<\/p>\n
“Mind you they (the retirees) did come out and play today (Saturday) as we were a little bit short of numbers with round one,” she said.<\/p>\n
“We didn’t lose anyone to other clubs; they just moved on, having babies and that sort of thing.<\/p>\n
“It’s women’s football, we are going to see that.<\/p>\n
“But it’s a really good opportunity for a fresh start, a new coach, new game plan.<\/p>\n
“It seems to be working so far.”<\/p>\n
In a team filled with strong contributors, Charlotte Hill stood out on a wing following an injury interrupted 2025 season.<\/p>\n
“Actually seeing her out there at full flight was something special,” Waters said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “We also had some standouts in Ruby Thomas in the midfield, who we’ve picked up from Bacchus Marsh and is an incredible asset.<\/p>\n “Her game sense and communication are absolutely incredible.”<\/p>\n Lane with four goals was also impressive.<\/p>\n In a touching show of respect, players from Darley and East Point, which defeated Bacchus Marsh by nine points in the preceding game, formed a guard of honour for the Swans as they ran onto the ground for the first time.<\/p>\n “We’re rapt we have another team to play; it’s only going to benefit us and the strength of the competition,” Waters said.<\/p>\n “I think it was really important to show the respect to their inaugural side, also knowing they would have felt pretty anxious being a young side and facing the premiers.<\/p>\n “It was a small gesture, but something that would have helped them feel more at ease.”<\/p>\n In the opening game, Redan defeated Carisbrook by 147 points, with last season’s leading goalkicker Jess Bokma starting the season in style with eight goals and Ellen Wertz booting six.<\/p>\n On her own transition to the Darley Football Netball Club, Waters said she could not have been made to feel more welcome.<\/p>\n “They have wrapped both arms around me,” she said.<\/p>\n “The girls have been exceptional.<\/p>\n “It’s been a big change; I have come I with pretty high standards and expectations and to their credit they have risen to them.<\/p>\n “This is really exciting. It’s only round one, but it’s only going to get better from here.”<\/p>\n Following a league-wide bye for Easter and another in round two, the Devils will not play their next game against East Point until 19 April.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" THERE were plenty of fresh faces in the line-up and a new coach, but it was the same old slick and steadfast Darley, which opened its latest BFLW senior premiership defence with a big win at Alfredton Recreation Reserve last Saturday. Drawn the task of being the first team to take on competition newcomers Ballarat, […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/04\/DSC_0252_76017.jpg\")