Darley is hoping to finish a tough season on a high in the Ballarat Netball League.
Having set out at the start of the season to rise up the ladder, the Devils have notched up just a single win.
Devils netball co-ordinator Marika Barnes said a tough season has been made harder by injuries.
“Mel Freeman has only just come back in, Courtney [Barnes] is out injured now,” Barnes said. “We’re also had a couple of ankles and Brianna [Rizzato] has been overseas for a month.
“It’s been an ordinary year, but that’s just life.”
The Devils also parted ways with coach Chris Bandel midway through the season.
Barnes said they had been on the up since playing co-coaches Talei Bari and Amy Giaini took over. They both play in the mid-court in the A-grade side and have a lot of experience.
“They have been fantastic and helped get the girls back on track,” Barnes said.
Bari, who won the leagues’s best and fairest award in 2012 and spent time at the Melbourne Vixens, is one of two former players who have returned to help out. Eylce Carlyle is the other.
Barnes said they were having a massive impact on and off the court.
“I asked them to come back when we had a couple of injuries,” Barnes said. “They bring a lot of experience.
“The margins are getting lower. Against North Ballarat City, we had a great game and they helped reduce the margin.”
Barnes said the club had continued to give some of the younger players opportunities, while focusing on playing local players not bringing in others from outside.
She said with six rounds to go, the Devils were hopeful of getting a few wins in the run home.
It’s not all bad news for the Devils with their D-grade side sitting in the top six.
On Saturday, the A-grade Devils lost to arch-rival Bacchus Marsh 65-48. The Devils kept the pressure on their opposition all day, but the Cobras were able to blow the margin out late.
Melanie Freeman, who shot 31 goals from 39 attempts, was named the Devils’ best, along with Tarni Lopes and Giaini.
For the Cobras, Stacey Jeffrey shot 33 goals and Madeline Hodgson 32. Kaila Ingham was named their best.
The Cobras have moved up to third on the ladder.
In other results, Melton South lost to ladder-leaders Sunbury Lions 49-39. Melton was no match for Redan, which won 56-37.
