FOOTBALL
SENIORS
SCORE: Darley 8.7.55 def by Melton 9.13.67
GOAL SCORERS: Mikey Edwards (4), Nick Hind (2), Will Johnson, Billy Myers
BEST ON: N. Hind, M. Edwards, Z. Le Huray, L. Baker, B. Myers, J. Crawford
We kicked off 2025 with the tough task of taking on the reigning premiers Melton on their home patch. After watching the flag unfurl the boys came out fired up to kick the first 4 goals of the game. Debutants Mikey Edwards and Nick Hind both hitting the scoreboard to great enthusiasm. Melton wrestled back the momentum in the 2nd term and brought the game back on even keel ensuing an arm wrestle from then on.
It was a game of high pressure and defences from then on. Le Huray, Myers and Crawford repelling many forward thrusts while Hind, Bewley and Adam Azzopardi were working hard around the ball to drive us forward.
After losing 3 boys early to injury our lads were starting to tire in the April heat but courageously fought on to put themselves right in the game to draw even in the last quarter. Edwards with 4 goals up forward threatening to be the match winner. Unfortunately Melton’s poise and experience saw them add a couple of late goals to take the victory away from us to go down by 12 points.
Some great learnings up against the best and although a loss, a really positive performance from a new look group as we build into a huge game v Sunbury in our first home game this week.
Congratulations to Nick Hind, Mikey Edwards and Jarrod White who all made their senior debuts for the club and we wish Tarni Lopes all the best as she breaks the club netball games record this week!
Go Devils
DJ
RESERVES
SCORE: Darley 10.11.71 def Melton 10.10.70
GOAL KICKERS: Dale Peacock (4), Jack Taylor (2), Bayley Bishop, Riley Bishop, Jackson Vella, Kristian Williams
BEST ON: B. Bishop, B. Crawford, D. Peacock, R. Densley, D. Bishop, N. Hartfiel
What a great start to the year.
From the first bounce, the boys were on. The game started well with the midfield exerting themselves on the game and some quick clearance wins. It didn’t show on the scoreboard however there were early signs that the hard work that was put in over pre-season was going to pay off. There were some great link up passages of play and communication was high. The team wanted to work for each other and it was showing.
It was a great game to watch with Darley keeping themselves in the game. At times when structures may have collapsed or adjustments were needed the boys will able to pivot accordingly and get the game back on our terms. Some excellent work by the brothers Bishop (Dylan, Riley & Bayley) across all lines and abley assisted by new leader Ben Crawford, newcomer Nick Hartfiel, the ever reliable Ryan Densley and the twin towers in Jackson Vella and the HOVE made sure that we were never to far away
The fight in the last quarter when we were two goals behind was testament to their want to win. Feathers was able to exert some authority in the forward 50 with some excellent forward craft to keep us in the game and then put us in front.
The final siren signalled the end to what was a great game and more importantly a great win.
Certainly a round 1 to enjoy, eyes now firmly on round 2.
Josh
UNDER 18.5
SCORE: Darley 10.12.72 def Melton 3.2.20
GOAL KICKERS: Liam Westhead (3), Logan Growcott (2), Archie Colbron, Harrison Coy, Isaac Jordan, Ethan Matthews, Kai Watkins
BEST ON: C. Taylor, L. Westhead, K. Della Bosca, J. Hardinge, L. Growcott, A. Colbron
We traveled to Melton to take on the Bloods and kick off a well awaited season 2025.
The young devils did a great job of wrestling control of the game early and didn’t look back. We kicked the first 3 goals in the game and felt like we were on top for the first half. With a lot of entries and some wasted opportunities in our forward half, we’re in the privileged position of working hard to get a great win, but also having a lot of room to improve.
Josh
WOMEN
SCORE: Darley 12.12.84 def East Point 2.2.14
GOAL SCORERS: Kim Bessell (3), Madalyn Clarke (3), Jenna Burke (2), Lilli Condon, Jay Dalgleish, Evie Fitzgerald, Tamara Henry
BEST ON: L. Condon, C. Hill, J. Burke, S. Tabone
The scoreline is not a true reflection of our game against East Point as it was a struggle all day! East Point played with much endeavour and applied pressure which created a very congested game of football as they tried to restrict our movement, but having said that, there were many passages of play throughout the game that really showed our skill and ability to move the ball and link up with each other which like last week, was a great spectacle to watch.
Though we are still missing a few players, everyone played their role when it was their turn to act. Again, the midfield was led strongly by Condon, Burke, Tabone and Dalgleish providing much drive pumping the ball into our forward-line which then allowed our forwards to go to work but unfortunately, our kicking at goal was a little off target as we missed some easy shots. Our movement in and around the forward line still needs some work and this will be one of our focuses at training. Going into the game, Kim Bessell only needed 3 goals for her 300th and this was achieved early in the third quarter which is a huge accolade for someone who has only played 89 games. When the ball went forward all eyes were on Kim who picked up a ground ball, went one way, changed direction, and dribbled the ball through for the magical goal and as it was rolling through, players came from everywhere to congratulate her.
Hill and Oughtred on the wings were providing avenues for our link-up as we moved the ball from defence to attack. Our backline also stood up all day Led by Wilson-MacDonald, Carra, Hogg and Sciarra each time our opposition went forward, and it was not until the last quarter that East Point were able to score, though we did move the magnets around resting players in the last quarter. An area of our game that has improved is our tackling, De Bono, Tabone, Hill and Johnson were for ever applying some brilliant tackling resulting in turnovers.
Le Huray, Hogg, Henry and Fitzgerald all playing their first game for the season all contributed well and fit into our structure, though Henry who was dominating her position hurt her shoulder early in the game, so we wish her well and await results from scans.
Each week is about improving on the previous game, and this was no different with challenges set with each line, East Point brought plenty of pressure, but it was our outside run and strong defence that went a long way towards this victory.
We now focus on our next challenge which is Carisbrook next Sunday 12.45pm at Darley Park where we will be unfurling our 2024 Premiership Flag, I call on as many supporters as possible to come down and support this magnificent team.
Brett
NETBALL
A GRADE
SCORE: Darley 49 def Melton 38
GOAL SCORERS: Olivia Cawthray, Monique Nagle
BEST PLAYERS: L. Taylor, M. Elliot
A great start for our A grade girls coming away with an 11 goal win against a relatively new Melton side. The team came out strong under new coach Shannon Blackman and showed they are as determined as ever. Anna and Tilly were as strong as ever and their defensive pressure was hard to break through. Our mids were phenomenal and transition to ball seamlessly to our goalers with Olivia sinking some outstanding shots. A massive thanks to Sophia Andreula who stepped up from B grade to give us some rotation.
Monique
B GRADE
SCORES: Darley 57 def Melton 29
GOAL SCORERS: Victoria Abdulnour, Sarah Mason
BEST PLAYERS: C. Mason, V. Abdulnour
A strong start to the B grade season with a 28 point win over the Bloods. It was great to welcome back some familiar faces in Maddy Bosio and Vic Abdulnour, as well as welcoming Tay Moravski to our side. The girls were able to settle early and then knuckle down to produce a strong defensive team effort. It was a hot one out on court so it was a good test for our fitness, but great to see the girls push on and run strong. Great way to start the season and bring on the weeks ahead.
Kaylee
C GRADE
SCORE: Darley 56 def Melton 26
GOAL SCORERS: Britney Ellis, Ebony Raudino, Emma Presnell
BEST PLAYERS: L. Martin, E. Raudino
A strong start for the season for our C grade girls against Melton with a 30 point win. The team as a whole played really well together. A very good effort especially with having a few new faces in the team this year. Special mention to the Martin sisters who showed a strong connection working together in the middle. Lily took some incredible intercepts and some great goaling combos were displayed. Strong start, now to carry this on through the coming weeks as well. Well done girls.
Tarni
D GRADE
SCORE: Darley 27 def by Melton 32
GOAL SCORERS: Maegan Taylor, Lauren Martin, Tayler Jones
BEST PLAYERS: A. Byron, S. Johnston
Unfortunately we didn’t get the result that we would have liked however we never gave up and kept fighting. This weekend showed us exactly what we need to work on to further our success for the rest of the season. Overall it was a good first game playing with some old and new faces. Third quarter being our strongest quarter where we seen a good connection throughout the team. Shout out to our defence team for dominating and showing great skills on the court.
Bianka
E GRADE
SCORE: Darley 15 def by Melton 29
GOAL SCORERS: Alyssa Pace, Keeley Libbis
BEST PLAYERS: B. McNeill, C. Rickards
Game was strong with a new team, only being down by a few points each quarter. Whole team worked exceptionally well together with Brooke McNeil showing off her amazing defensive skills throughout the game and Casey Richards showing excellent persistence and endurance.Very excited to see how the rest of the season goes.
Keeley
UNDER 19
SCORE: Darley 55 def Melton 19
GOAL SCORERS: Emma Presnell, Taleah Burnett, Eb Raudino
BEST PLAYERS: L. Normington, L. Duggan
it was a great start to the season, coming out with a 35 goal win. With a new team, we had amazing connections transitioning the ball down the court. Our three goalers had great accuracy and worked well connecting the ball from the mid court into the ring. Our middies fed the ball into the ring with precision allowing for our goalers to be in range. Our defensive pressure all the way down the court kept Melton to only 19 goals for the whole game. What a great win!
Addison