BFL netball: Darley’s last-gasp heartbreak

DARLEY fought back from a seemingly insurmountable deficit, only for a late Melton goal to force a draw in a thrilling Ballarat Football League senior netball encounter at MacPherson Park on Saturday.

The Devils were in strife midway through the third quarter, and entered the final change six goals in arrears, but fought back to take the lead late in the last term.

A last-gasp equaliser to Melton goaler Brooke Gleeson, who capitalised on a pass from Jessica Kalmar that hit the goalpost, tied the scores at 41-41 seconds before the final whistle.

Click on the image below for our gallery of the big game.

Darley coach Marika Barnes said she felt the result – which leaves the Devils half a game behind the Bloods in fifth on the ladder – was two points gained after being so far behind in the second half.

“It just proved [to our girls] again that you don’t ever give up until the siren goes,” she said.

Barnes, who rated the efforts of defender Olivia Aughton and centre court player Talei Bari, said it would be a tough run to finals for her side.

“Our next few weeks are going to be up and down because Talei Bari goes away for a couple of weeks and Elyce Carlyle doesn’t come back until finals. She’s gone overseas.”

– Tim O’Connor, Ballarat Courier