DARLEY’S transformation from finals aspirant to genuine contender took an emphatic leap forward when it shattered Melton South’s September dreams by 52 points at Darley Park on Saturday.
The stronger-bodied Darley outfit set up its victory with a nine goal to four first half.
After both teams failed to kick a goal in the third term, the Devils booted two more to win 11.17 (83) to Melton South’s 4.7 (31).
Click on the image below for our gallery of the big game.
After the match, disappointed Melton South coach Shane Geddes conceded finals were virtually out of reach.
“While we still have a mathematical chance of making the BFL final six, we’ve got upcoming games against top sides Redan, Sunbury and North City, plus a derby match at Melton,” he said, “so a lot of things have to go our way to make the finals.”
The Devils adapted quickly to their greasy home ground deck and delivered the football into the safe hands of power forward, Brendan Porter, who kicked four early majors.
At the opposite end, the close-checking Darley defence, led by half back flanker Luke Guerra, kept Melton South to a miserly four goals.
The Panthers were 35 points in arrears at the long break.
Melton South clearly placed its finals hopes on the line in the third term when key backman Leigh Burke lined up next to BFL leading goalkicker Mathew Sutton two-out up forward.
While the Panthers achieved the same number of inside-50s as Darley, the goals didn’t eventuate.
Geddes’ three-quarter-time instructions focused on his players taking a risk and getting an early final-quarter first goal.
Unfortunately for the Panthers, that crucial goal went Darley’s way with Brendan Porter chalking up his fifth major, sealing the match and, most likely, Melton South’s finals chances for the season.
Darley coach Rod McPherson was pleased with his team but unwilling to speculate on where the Devils will finish on the ladder.
“We can only control what we can control. We’re just trying to keep the four points going, and with three games to go for us, we’ll deal with it on a week-to-week basis,” he said.
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