FOOTBALL
Seniors
Darley 9.5.59 def by Melton 10.14.74
Best players: Adam Azzopardi, Brady Wright, Mitchell Hovey, Harley Inglis, Joel Cadman, Leigh Spiteri
Goal scorers: J. Cadman (2), W. Johnson (2), A. Azzopardi, B. Bishop, S. Fawcett, L. Spiteri, B. Wright
The final Round saw us venture to MacPherson Park to take on ladder leaders Melton.
The boys started well around the contest with the wind getting some forward 50 entries with Johnson and Wright looking dangerous when we could get the ball to them one v one.
Into the wind the boys controlled the ball well, nullifying Melton around the contest. Our defenders in Crawford, Le Huray and Ward were busy defending many Melton entries and saw us go into half time on relatively even pegging with a five point deficit.
With the promise of the wind in the third quarter, we made some sloppy errors and couldn’t quite capitilise on the advantage, while Melton were able to hurt us going the other way.
With not much to gain in the last quarter with third spot sown up, we rested a few of our players which presented some opportunity to younger players. Adam Azzopardi, Mitch Hovey and Joel Cadman all played quality games with the experienced Inglis and Spiteri also finding plenty of footy.
A 15 point loss against the ladder leaders was a good platform to build into our finals campaign.
Good luck to all teams in the finals. We would love to see as many as possible down at Darley on Sunday to support us in our Elimination Final v North Ballarat.
Go Devils!
DJ
Reserves
Darley 7.6.48 def by Melton23.9.147
Best players: Brodie Ward, Alex Sweet, Jack Taylor, Cooper Murley, Liam Noonan, Dylan Beecham
Goal scorers: D. Beecham (2), D. Locke, L. Noonan, S. Sanders, J. Taylor, B. Ward
It’s been a long hard season for the Darley reserves. The season we hoped for we just couldn’t deliver, but not from trying not from lack of effort.
These guys when they took to the field gave everything they could. The lack of senior numbers along with a long injury list throughout the senior squad meant that we never fielded the full strength team that we should’ve. Having said that I’m extremely proud of the group, every week we turned up and gave our all for the Darley name.
The game against Melton didn’t go the way we were hoping for. The first games they got us by 18 points in only a few weeks ago they only beat the Marsh by 43 points so we believed they were gettable. Melton, who were preparing for their finals campaign, had a very different belief to us and their intentions were to show us why there playing finals.
Although we fought it out, we were spent both mentally and physically, my troops wanted it over. In the end we went down by 99 points, far from the victory we wanted.
On a personal note I’d like to thank Brendon Densley, Josh Williams, Danny Duggan and the lovely Vicki Baker for all your help. Without you my job of coaching would be near impossible.
To my team I thank you for your efforts and your loyalty, a better group of guys I couldn’t ask for, stay strong regroup and stick fat.
Cheers
Coach Cammo
Under 19s
Darley 2.2.14 def by Melton 14.18.102
Best players: Damon Nitschke, Chase Sanders, Jesse Saw, Cayden Hewett, Charlton Jobson, Charlie Taylor
Goal scorers: C. Sanders (2)
We ended our season with a game vs Melton at their ground.
Unfortunately we lost the toss and Melton chose to kick with the wind which turned out to be an eight goal breeze. This unfortunately put us behind the eight ball, but we kept good competitive spirits and tried hard to defend but the opponent was to much for us early.
We answered back in the second quarter with some hard earned goals but from then on out it was all Melton.
All in all it’s been a tough year for us as a team, probably didn’t find the consistency that we required to really get going.
There’s a great group of young men here and I look forward to watching them grow and develop in our senior program in years to come.
Josh Baker, coach
NETBALL
Under 19s
Darley 81 def Melton 9
Best players: Ella Closter, Chelsea Mason
Goal scorers: E. Closter, S. Mason, T. Burnett
An amazing game for our under 19’s with a 81-9 win over Melton Bloods.
The girls were able to come together and practise all we have been working on at training especially in our defensive set ups from goal keeper throw in.
It took the girls the first quarter to settle in and play to our standard, but once we implemented our style of playing, we smashed out the rest of the game.
Everyone played amazing no matter what combinations were put on court and we secured a great win for the last game of the season.
The girls are heading into finals looking strong and ready take on Redan next week.
Maddy
E Grade
Darley 19 def by Melton 33
Best players: Tiarna Di Mieri, Charlotte Martindale
Goal scorers: L. Kight, B. Di Mieri, N. Davies, C. Martindale
Final game of 2024 for us and we made sure we made it a fun one.
We remained competitive and even with a fun throw away last quarter moving into different positions the score was still closer than our last game against Melton.
I want to thank Courtney for being an amazing coach and making sure that we learnt and grew as a team but also had fun doing it.
To all the girls who have played for us in E grade, thankyou for such an amazing season. It was fun playing with all of you and everyone kept giving 100% all year.
We now look to supporting our fellow Devils in their finals endeavours and look to further improve our ladder position next season.
Lisa
D Grade
Darley 42 def Melton 26
Best players: Jess Hodge, Ash Byron
Goal scorers: S Johnston, M. Jackson, L Kight, M. O’Hehir
What an incredible win from the D Grade girls, and if we go into finals how we played that game, we’ll have a fair run of the cup.
It was the first time it felt like the team gelled and every choice we made was rewarded on the scoreboard.
The defensive pressure was unreal and our goalers were on making for a fun, competitive and great game for us!
Bring on finals.
Caitlin
C Grade
Darley 28 def by Melton 33
Best players: Ava Densley, Alyssa Normington
Goal scorers: E. Raudino, B. Ellis, A. Harris
An unfortunate loss for our C grade girls this week against Melton bloods 33-28.
The girls started off the first half of the game with great movement and seamless passages of play down the court to our shooters who were able to help create a three point lead.
The second half of the game sadly let us down and a few turnovers on by the bloods shook us and led us to drop our heads.
Regardless of the score and our final position girls, we played not only a good game but an excellent season, considering we were a fresh new side we managed to morph together and play as a team throughout the year.
As this was our last game of the season, I’d like to wish the rest of our Devils a huge congratulations on getting into the finals and good luck!
Again, well done this season girls, it may not have been the position we wanted but we should be so proud on the growth we’ve had throughout the season.
Brittney
B Grade
Darley 72 def Melton 34
Best players: Kaylee Smith, Ellie Martin (snr)
Goal scorers: T. McCleish, A. Nagle, S. Mason, T. Burnett
An incredibly strong win from the B grade girls as we storm into finals.
It was a game with lots of patience, variety and skill. Everyone played their role perfectly enabling the girls to break through Meltons defence across the four quarters.
The heat was a real test coming into finals, but the use of rolling subs was strategic and meant that we had rested legs coming onto the court each time.
It was a really great game to be a part of and I couldn’t be prouder of how the entire team has come together over the last month to really find some form and accuracy as we take on Melton South for our elimination finals.
Finals are a whole new ball game and we are excited to take this rejuvenated B grade side into the finals
Kaylee
A Grade
Darley 75 def Melton 18
Best players: Anna Lawley, Olivia Cawthray
Goal scorers: E. Closter, O. Cawthray, M. Nagle
Our A grade side left everything out on court in their final game of the home and away season.
The girls came away with a 58 goal win, keeping Melton to only 18 goals for the entire game. The team worked in perfect unison to transition the ball seamlessly throughout the court.
Their defensive pressure was unmatched and extremely difficult to break through. Everyone played their role and it was an excellent way to finish off the season.
A huge congrats to Prue Stanley who played her 50th game for the club this weekend as well.
It has been a fantastic season of hard work and determination and we are looking forward to taking on Redan in our first final.
Monique