FOOTBALL
SENIORS
SCORE: Darley 12.10.82 def Ballarat 4.8.32
GOAL SCORERS: B. Bewley (3), D. Fawcett (2), W. Johnson (2), L. Baker, N. Hind, L. Impey, H. Inglis, B. Myers
BEST PLAYERS: Lucas Impey, Nick Hind, Deacon Fawcett, Brett Bewley, Zane Le Huray, Matthew Brett
The boys took on the dangerous Ballarat and started like a house on fire kicking 3 goals in the first 4 minutes of the game. Impey dominated the ruck from the first bounce and gave plenty of supply to our mids.
From there the game turned into somewhat of an arm wrestle while Ballarat provided good pressure around the contest but not being able to penetrate our miserly defence for only 2 first half goals to our 6.
The second half continued in much the same fashion. Bewley (52p, 3g), Hind (37p, 1g) and Impey (1g) were dominant around the ball while Fawcett (2g) and the in-form Johnson (2g) were looking lively up forward but on occasion we were our own worst enemy going inside 50.
Our defence led by Le Huray, Brett and Myers were stingy all day and kept Ballarat to only 4 goals to eventually run out 50 point winners at the final siren.
A good win against a top 4 side from last year that highlighted we have plenty to work on. This week we head back up the highway to take on the dangerous and unpredictable Sebastopol.
Go Devils!
DJ
RESERVES
SCORE: Darley 13.9.87 def Ballarat 6.4.40
GOAL SCORERS: J. Taylor (5), M. Hovey (2), J. Vella (2), D. Bishop, N. Cadman, D. Peacock, A. Sweet
BEST PLAYERS: Justin Runge, Bayley Bishop, Noah Baker, Ben Crawford, Dayle Locke, Kristian Williams
Two in a row, we are on the right track.
The first quarter was a dour contest at best. Not one for the football purest but it did give us some talking points to raise at quarter time.
From there our game improved. The missed targets from the first quarter were now being found, our run was back and our forwards found there range.
Apart from a lapse in concentration for 30 seconds here and there, we were on top of the game.
Another stellar game from Runge and as always assisted by Densley in the backline. Their ability to repel Ballarat’s attack time after time and then deliver the ball to our runners was very important. Bayley Bishop on the wing and Crawf controlling the corridor meant that the ball was being delivered to JT (5 goals) and Caddy.
Our small forwards, Pity and Vass were all over anything that was on the ground or any opposition player that had the ball.
All in all, a good win with some things to work on and a lot of things to be proud of.
Back up the highway for our next challenge but one we are looking forward to.
Go Devils
Josh
UNDER 18.5S
SCORE: Darley 9.13.67 def Ballarat 4.7.31
GOAL SCORERS: L. Growcott (2), K. Watkins (2), J. Bankowski, C. Jones, A. Kristitz, J. Watson, R. Younger
BEST PLAYERS: Rhys Younger, Jaksen Freeman, Fynn Ramsy, Liam Steegstra, Luke Shea, Angus Kristitz
What a beautiful day for football it was, sun shining with perfect conditions at Darley Park.
The boys started very strong with great energy and intensity towards the ball. We owned the first quarter kicking 4 goals with many opportunities for more.
We were lead in the ruck by Fynn Ramsey who really worked hard around the ground and made his presence felt.
We had great ball use and connection from our backline, defending really deep, being open and looking for opportunities to take intercept marks and drive our attack from the backline.
The second quarter turned into a bit of chaos ball where the opposition were able to put some scores on the board while we didn’t make the most of our opportunities in our forward half. All in all we came in at halftime as leaders on the scoreboard but still with a lot to improve on.
The second half we rectified that and took some more opportunities that were presented to us. Turned out to be a comfortable win for the Devils in the end.
Some brilliant individual performances but overall I’m really inspired by how this team is connecting and growing together to be one tight knit team.
Josh
WOMENS
SCORE: Darley 7.3.45 def Lake Wendouree 1.0.6
GOAL SCORERS: J. Burke (2), M. Clarke (2), L. Condon, C. Oughtred, C. Parsons Jones
BEST PLAYERS: Jenna Burke, Rhiannon Carra, Lilli Condon, Charli Parsons Jones
The trip up the highway had a very interesting outcome that no-one could have predicted.
Our focus on the day was to ensure that we continued to play our style, playing a team that is lower on the ladder can sometimes give a false indication as to the opposition you are coming up against, so our discussion was to ensure that we continued to play as we have been training. Another focus for the day was to see if we could get Madalyn Clarke the 4 goals needed to reach her 300th career goal.
Unfortunately, our focus strayed too far towards getting those 4 goals and therefore we missed some easy opportunities in the first quarter, also, for some reason our basic fundamentals seemed to have been all out of whack so our discussion at quarter time was to try and re-focus the minds and get back to playing our normal style. At quarter time the score was 3.1 to 1.0.
Things did not change much in the second quarter, we just did not seem clean with our skills and yes, we were scoring goals but it just seemed that it was going to be one of those days at the office.
The second quarter was coming to a close with only a couple of minutes remaining when there was an unfortunate incident where a player from each team collided head on going for the ball with the Lake Wendouree player hitting her head on the ground.
A quick decision was made by the trainers that an ambulance was required and therefore play stopped. Our player was quiet upset by the incident also and was supported whilst the trainers from both teams attended the injured Lake Wendouree player. With only seconds remaining both teams decided to head to the change rooms for the halftime break whilst the ambulance arrived and took control.
Our discussion in the rooms was led by Emmerson Hitch who spoke about some home truths about the way we were playing so the plans were in motion about what we were going to do after the game re-commenced.
Unfortunately, the umpires came in to say that they had no idea when the game would start for the second half and that the Lake Wendouree players were a bit shaken by the incident, the suggestion was that we abandon the game to which we agreed due to all the circumstances. The health of the Lake Wendouree player was first and as the players from Lakers were also not right it was the best solution for the day. As it turned out, the player was later released from hospital with concussion.
Our focus is now on our next opponent which is Carisbrook in Carisbrook next Sunday where Madalyn Clarke only needs 2 goals for the magic 300th.
Go Devils.
Brett and Emmerson
NETBALL
A GRADE
SCORE: Darley 64 def Ballarat 27
GOAL SCORERS: O. Cawthray, M. Nagle, L. Taylor
BEST PLAYERS: Anna Lawley, Matilda Elliot
A solid win for our A grade side over Ballarat coming away with a 37 goal victory. Despite the rough play from Ballarat the side stayed composed and clean in their efforts and it was a really great game to watch. A MASSIVE shout out to Alyssa Normington who made her A grade debut and played an absolute blinder. Not only was her defensive pressure outmatched but she was extremely ariel and a key link bringing the ball down the court. We could not be more proud or excited about her future at Darley after her outstanding performance. Another shout out must go to Lucy Taylor who made her GS debut as well stepping up out of position when the team needed.
Monique
B GRADE
SCORES: Darley 51 def Ballarat 26
GOAL SCORERS: E. Raudino, S. Mason
BEST PLAYERS: Sarah Mason, Chelsea Mason
It was an incredibly strong performance from B grade this weekend. Our team defensive pressure was excellent and too much for Ballarat to be able to work through effectively. The work rate was high and the confidence across the whole team grew as the game went on. Special shout out to Ebony Raudino and Ellie Martin who stepped up from C grade. Eb shot beautifully and with so much confidence it was great to see! A fantastic team win it’s so good to see what we are learning at training being replicated on court. Well done girls couldn’t be prouder
Kaylee
C GRADE
SCORE: Darley 28 def Ballarat 14
GOAL SCORERS: B. Ellis, A. Harris, E. Presnell
BEST PLAYERS: Tiarnee Smith, Lily Normington
Ballarat came out with a strong start in the C grade game taking a 5-0 lead, our girls kept their composure to bring the score back to even towards the end of the first quarter. After a slow start to the game, the girls went back to basics throughout the second and third quarters to build up a good lead and finishing with a win by 14 goals. Special mention to our young gun defenders Tiarnee and Lily who were nothing short of incredible in their performances
Tarni
D GRADE
SCORE: Darley 44 def Ballarat 11
GOAL SCORERS: T. Jones, M. Taylor, L. Martin
BEST PLAYERS: Maegan Taylor, Brooke McNeill
Another massive game from our girls this week, taking out a 30 point win over Ballarat. We continue to implement the things that work well and work on the things that aren’t quite there and our success is evident. A game we were all so proud of when we walked off the court, which is what it’s all about! Looking forward to seeing how we go against Sebas this weekend.
Caitlin
E GRADE
SCORE: Darley 25 def Ballarat 17
GOAL SCORERS: J. Blake, K. Libbis, L Kight
BEST PLAYERS: Jess Blake, Casey Rickards
Amazing win for our E grade girls. We did an incredible job keeping the score up with our voices, confidence and consistency. Everything we’ve been practicing twice a week. Win was definitely needed for us girls to keep our heads high for the next few weeks. Incredibly proud of the girls and improvement is massively seen every week. Let’s do it all again next week!!
Keeley
UNDER 19S
SCORE: Darley 40 def Ballarat 10
GOAL SCORERS: E. Raudino, E. Presnell, A. Harris
BEST PLAYERS: Alex Harris, Addi Wright
Our under 19s girls had another great win against Ballarat smashing out an amazing first quarter. In the second quarter we dropped our intensity, however we brought it back in the last half to finish off the game with a 30 point win! Huge congrats to Addison Wright, our captain, coming back from an injury and showing us the impact she has on lifting our team up to perform at the highest level we can. Seeing her back in that GD bib made this win even more special for the whole team!
Alyssa