FOOTBALL
SENIORS
SCORE: Darley 12.8.80 def Sunbury 9.9.63
GOAL SCORERS: Will Johnson (6), Nick Hind (3), Mikey Edwards, Grant Hatcher, Billy Myers
BEST ON: W. Johnson, B. Myers, B. Bewley, Z. Le Huray, D. Cadman, A. Azzopardi
The boys came out against a fired up Sunbury and looked fatigued in the early stages to see Sunbury slam on 4.5 in the first quarter to our 0.3.
After some quarter time adjustments, our pressure lifted and Myers was able to break the goal drought and then Hind with 2 in quick succession to get some reward for effort and go in 19p down at the main break.
Discussions of a big second half needed and the third quarter saw Bewley, Hind and Baker start to assert some authority on the back of some stout defending from Myers, Crawford and Le Huray denying Sunbury’s big forwards any opportunities.
Will Johnson took over in the second half up forward as he looked unstoppable with 6 2nd half goals, ably supported by Duncan Cadman as our link up player through the middle.
The final siren saw us finish off with a 17p win. A great effort considering the poor start and the maturity, belief and leadership to turn the momentum around and come away with the win.
A week off this week, Happy Easter to all and then into preparations for our annual Anzac weekend v Bacchus Marsh.
Go Devils!
DJ
RESERVES
SCORE: Darley 5.7.37 def by Sunburay 15.14.104
BEST ON: R. Bishop, R. Densley, B. Bishop, B. Wood, A. Sweet, K. Williams
A match up against one of the better sides over recent times. A test that we were looking forward to.
The game started well with the boys quick out of the box and taking every opportunity they could. A well fought contest ensued for the first half with Sunbury holding a slender lead.
Coming out after half time we started to tire a little in the conditions and injuries were mounting which reduced our rotations by 50%.
We rallied and the boys kept running and hitting every contest however as the final siren went we found ourselves on the wrong side of the ledger. Opposition coach gave some positive feedback as to how we played the game in the first half and they had to swap around game plans which in the end worked in their favour.
Some key efforts with our skipper Riley Bishop leading from the front all day. Ryan Densley and Bayley Bishop again provided plenty of run of half back. The pitbull playing as the small pressure forward with his 1%’s and Jackson Vella battling all day.
A tough day on the field but we take away alot of positives and belief that we are on the right track. A week off to rest and relax then the fun begins again.
Happy Easter to all
Go Devils
Josh
WOMENS
SCORE: Darley 29.19.193 def Carisbrook 0.0.0
GOAL SCORERS: Kim Bessell (10), Lusiya Azina (6), Lilli Condon (4), Chloe Oughtred (4), Tayla Debono (2), Rhiannin Carra, Evie Johnson, Macy Le Huray
BEST ON: L. Condon, E. Fitzgerald, C. Oughtred, E. Johnson
What a special day this was as we unfurled the 2024 premiership flag in front of our committee, club members, supporters, and junior and senior players from both the football and netball teams within our club. It was also Sarah Tabone’s 100th game and though not all with us, Sarah is a Devil through and through and has been an important part of our midfield make-up over the last 2 years that is driving this team forward.
It was always going to be an interesting game playing Carisbrook who were a very young team! The pregame talk and focus were about ensuring we stuck to our game plan and played to our strengths. The conditions were hot and windy, so it was going to be important to try and get off to a good start but also try and save energy where possible.
Through determination and pressure at the contest and many outstanding passages of play throughout the game, we had a very comfortable and satisfying win. It was a very hard day at the office for Carisbrook and full praise to them who tried all day, but the credit goes to this women’s team, that is growing together and forming a strong connection that believe and trust in each other as they all have made the choice to reach a common goal.
On the few times that our opposition were able to get the ball forward, our backline led strongly by Wilson-MacDonald and Z. Le Huray were able to ensure our defenders played their role thwarting off those attacks.
The midfield was led strongly all day through the hard work of Condon, Burke and Tabone with Wilks and Hogg battling it out in the ruck. We had plenty of support from Johnson, M. Le Huray, Dodd and Guarino as they rolled through the wings and our forward line provided targets all day. It was not just about kicking goals, it was about the connection between them all working together and they did not disappoint with Fitzgerald and Carra providing targets and then Bessell (10), Azina (6), Oughtred (4), Condon (4) and DeBono (2) finishing the work.
We have a bye next weekend; our focus and planning will be around playing our cross-town rivals on Saturday 26th April at Maddingley Oval straight after the men where Madalyn Clarke will be playing her 150th game.
Brett Faulkhead
THIRDS
Friday 11th April 2025, a day that will go down as one of the greatest in Darley Football Netball club history, as 30 heroes took to the field for the first time to represent the newly formed Darley Thirds (a.k.a Club 18s) team.
Well not quite Darley history and certainly not heroes, but it was the inaugural match, albeit a practice match, of the newly formed Darley Thirds team against arch rivals Bacchus Marsh.
After an intense and exhausting pre-season that included several sessions at numerous venues, followed by the occasional schooner or two, it was time for the thirds to put their efforts to the test.
It was a warm, barmy night at Maddingley Park and after much anticipation, the time came for the newly formed team to unleash themselves on a well prepared and incredibly fit looking Bacchus Marsh team littered with one former AFL star, and unleash they did!
The Devils got off to a great start by kicking the first couple of goals and heaped the pressure on the cobras. The Cobras fought back and it felt like ‘Game On’ as we went into quarter time with an 8 point lead. (To be honest we actually don’t know what the lead was but 8 points will do for the sake of our readers)
The second quarter was where it all happened as the Devils continued their first quarter form by getting off to a flyer.
The incredible fitness learnt through what could only be described as one of the most intense preseasons ever conducted by any footy team ever, shone through.
Our onballers followed the strict instructions to rove to the Marsh ruckman and dominated the midfield (By the way if any readers know of a ruckman for the thirds please send them to training, details below).
The huge Devils fan base lifted the players as goal after goal hit the scoreboard. Well the goals were kicked but the cobras ‘forgot’ to put a few of them on the scoreboard.
As the siren sounded for half time the Devils had a handy lead of between 20 and 40 points, but closer to 40 we think.
The Cobras showed some fight but the Devils held our nerve as the lead increased. In fact the score would have extended further in the third term had Dane Train not missed from no more than 7 meters out directly in front. I mean seriously D-Train straight to full back you go!
Or as Chum would say ‘Put him on the Bench’
The fourth quarter was a lot of fun as fathers and sons got to play alongside each other. It was great to see Josh and Harry Coy, Justin and Kai Watkins and Glenn and Jesse Saw line up next to each other. Also of note was Father and son pair Dave and Tane who spent the third quarter together, albeit on the bench after Dave was injured at training two nights before.
By the time the final siren had sounded the Devils had come away with a decent win in what was a good spirited game.
NETBALL
A GRADE
SCORE: Darley 39 def by Sunbury 60
GOAL SCORERS: Victoria Abdulhour, Monique Nagle, Sarah Mason
BEST PLAYERS: V. Abdulhour, J. Smith
A tough loss for our A grade side however there were some great displays of netball. A massive shout out to the B grade girls Sophia Andreula, Chelsea Mason, Maddy Bosio, Victoria Abdulnour, Kaylee Smith and Sarah Mason, who made her A grade debut, who stepped up and played 2 games in the heat. They slotted right in and played some brilliant netball, we couldn’t be more thankful! While it isn’t the result we wanted, our heads are high and we are ready to keep working to improve.
Monique
B GRADE
SCORES: Darley 43 def by Sunbury 51
GOAL SCORERS: Victoria Abdulnour, Sarah Mason, Britney Ellis
BEST PLAYERS: H. Barrett, V. Abdulnour
B grade are a bunch of strong and fit women!! Some really tough conditions on court but so incredibly proud of how the girls were able to push on. With 5 girls having to play up for the A’s it was definitely tough and with many changes to prepare for those girls for the extra game in the really challenging heat. We have the determination fitness and skill to beat last years premiers and no doubt we will be able to run over the top of them the next time we play. Well done girls enjoy the break and be proud of your efforts today.
Kaylee
C GRADE
SCORE: Darley 26 def Sunbury 17
GOAL SCORERS: Britney Ellis, Ebony Raudino, Alex Harris
BEST PLAYERS: A. Normington, E. Martin
The C grade girls had a hard fought win against Sunbury in the heat. It was a close score line all game with the devils holding the lead for majority of the game by 1 or 2 goals. The last quarter the girls found another level, even though being exhausted and fatigued and were able to steal an 8 point win in the end. Congrats on a hard fight girls and continuing to lift throughout the whole game.
Tarni
D GRADE
SCORE: Darley 20 def by Sunbury 33
GOAL SCORERS: Maegan Taylor, Lauren Martin, Tayler Jones
BEST PLAYERS: B. Whyte, B. McNeill
What a game for our D Grade girls. Considering we got absolutely smashed by Sunbury last season by a good 50 points, to only get down by 13 is a massive achievement. Although our game was inconsistent, there were a lot of good things to come from the four quarters. A hot one, but we held on well considering the circumstances. Looking forward to Bacchus Marsh and working on our strengths to progress throughout the season.
Caitlin
E GRADE
SCORE: Darley 14 def by Sunbury 38
GOAL SCORERS: Jessica Blake, Keeley Libbis
BEST PLAYERS: C. Rickards, I. Trewin
E grade started off strong in the first half with scores pretty much equal and vibes high. Weather conditions started to get to us second half and all girls tried their best to push through the heat and to get the lead back but unfortunately we were unsuccessful. Overall the girls did incredibly well and improvement is shown every week. Enjoy the break girls and bring on the marsh!!!
Keeley
UNDER 19S
SCORE: Darley 27 def by Sunbury 31
GOAL SCORERS: Alex Harris, Eb Raudino
BEST PLAYERS: T. Smith, L. Normington1
Unfortunately our first loss for the season for our under 19s girls, was a very hard game playing in the heat especially with only one on the bench. Special shoutout to Jasmine Matthews for coming up from juniors to make her 19s/seniors debut. Overall the girls played the best they could on the day and we reflect on this loss and improve for our future games. Keep our heads high and we will get them next time.
Addison