A RAMPAGING nine-goal third quarter from Darley proved the difference at Darley Park on Saturday as the Devils notched up their third win of the Ballarat Football League season.
In a match that was under the microscope more than usual due to the debut of former Collingwood star Shane O’Bree, the Devils piled on nine goals, including four after the 30-minute mark of the third term, to virtually secure the result at the final break against Melton South.
SEE: Our picture gallery of the big match.
SEE: Family ties draw Shane O’Bree.
The Panthers gave a yelp at the start of the last quarter when coach Matthew Sutton slotted his third of the day.
But a breathtaking boundary line goal from Darley’s Travis Minns doused any hope of a comeback and sent out the message that the day would belong to the home side.
In a courageous display, Darley went on to win 19.17 (131) to Melton South’s 12.5 (77).
The Devils’ win, however, was soured by a potentially season-ending injury to co-captain Brad Inglis.
Inglis had been one of Darley’s better players when he went down with a nasty ankle injury in the third quarter and was stretchered off the ground.
The injury could very well have halted Darley’s momentum, as the team was left without a player on the bench soon after when O’Bree succumbed to a hamstring strain, but it held strong against the breeze in the final term to win by 54 points.
Coach Rod MacPherson said the club’s depth would now be well and truly tested, with a number of key players on the sidelines.
He had no reservation in calling for extra commitment from his reserve troops in the coming weeks.
“It allows us to blood a few twos guys who I know are up to it, but their commitment is not up to it. Their application to their footy, well, it needs to change very quickly in the next three or four weeks because they have to step up,” MacPherson said.
There were, however, a number of key Darley contributors throughout the match who grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck when the chips were well and truly down.
Shane Page was dominant in the second half, booting three goals in the third quarter and running rampant across half-forward.
Jake Edwards threatened all day and booted four, as did Mark Hanson.
And although full-back Shaun Deckert had five goals kicked against him by opposition coach Matthew Sutton, the Devils’ full-back held his opponent to two goals until the final term.
For Melton South, Dion Lawson could hold his head high, along with Leigh Burke, who also battled all day.
— Ballarat Courier
