Tara Murray
An undermanned Darley fought hard to come away with the points against Sebastopol in the Ballarat Football League.
The Devils entered Saturday’s match missing nine or 10 of their best 22 and coming off a loss the previous week.
In tricky conditions, the Devils were able to get the job done, winning 7.10 (52)-6.11 (47).
Devils coach Dan Jordan said it was a really good win in the end.
“I’m proud of the boys,” he said. “We had a fairly young group as we are undermanned at the moment and we were still able to get the points.
“It’s really good for some of the younger guys and our depth guys to play. It’s important to expose those people to senior spots and it keeps pressure on for spots when we eventually have a full list.”
Jordan said while the Burras ladder position showed it had been a tough season, they had really started to find their feet in the second half of the season.
The Devils led at every break but were never able to break away from the Burras.
“It was a real slog,” he said. “They lost a couple of prime movers early and that’s been us the last few weeks.
“It was good to have a bit of good fortune go our way in that respect. We stuck at the task.
“It was a funny day weather wise and we stuck at it with 22 contributors on the day.”
Harley Inglis was the only multiple goal kicker with two goals for the Devils.
Jordan said he felt it was a fairly even team performance.
“We didn’t have one or two standouts which is pleasing as a coach,” he said. “Adam Azzopardi and Matthew Brett competed all day.
“There were a number of moments where the young guys with only a few matches under their belts, stood up when it mattered.”
The win moves the Devils to third spot.
They have a bye this week which Jordan said comes at a good time with their injury list.
“We’ll likely have a selection dilemma after the break,” he said.
“We have four or five players to come back. It’s a good position to be in, possibly leaving players out who are stiff.
“We’ll have to get a few boxes ticked this week and then the following week with a full week of training.”
In other matches, Melton won the local derby with Melton South.
In the battle between top and bottom, the Bloods won 22.13 (145)-1.5 (11).
Jordan Kight kicked six goals in a best on ground performance while Liam Carter kicked four.
Broden Collins was the Panthers best.
Bacchus Marsh was unable to match it with North Ballarat, losing 17.14 (116)-5.9 (39).
Leo Nixon and Dennis Armfield were the Cobras best.
The Cobras sit in eighth spot.
