DARLEY is best placed to chase down Ballarat Football League’s runaway top three after seeing off Lake Wendouree by 23 points on Saturday.
The Devils’ 12.11 (83) to 8.12 (60) victory puts it fourth on the ladder (5-4) but still three games behind third-placed Sunbury Lions.
For one more week at least the Devils have held off a challenge from the chasing pack by being ahead of East Point on percentage and one game up on Ballarat and Melton South.
An upset was brewing when Nick Aringo kicked two goals in a minute to put the Lakers in front for the first time midway through the second term, but a superb running goal from Nathan Jackel settled the Devils. Despite the Lakers’ best efforts, Darley’s class shone throughout the second half. The undersized Lakers’ backline had no answer for Dane Grenfell and Scott McAllester.
In a surprise move, Darley captain Jarrod Edwards went forward to kick two crucial last-quarter goals, sealing the game in the process. Jake Edwards and Darren Leonard kicked three goals each, while Mark Hanson and Casey Nance were also outstanding.
“Our season was really on the line and now we’ve strung a few wins together we’re really hoping to step things up a gear,” Darley coach Rod MacPherson said.
– Luke Griffiths, Ballarat Courier
