DARLEY has announced itself as a serious contender for the Ballarat Football League premiership after a breakthrough victory against Redan on Sunday.
The Devils won by 22 points at Darley Park after coming from 10 points down at the last change.
Six goals to one in the final term set up the 15.8 (98) to 12.5 (77) win that sees Darley in hot form heading into a blockbuster against reigning premier Sunbury.
For now, the Devils remain fifth, their 6-4 record three games off the pace of ladder leader North Ballarat City and two games clear of seventh-placed Melton South. Nathan Jackel was outstanding for Darley, providing a spark when his team needed it, while former Collingwood star Shane O’Bree was fantastic across half-back, as was Jake Edwards up forward.
Darley started the match like a house on fire, kicking the opening four goals to hold an early 26-point advantage.
But by the mid-stages of the third quarter it was Redan on a four-goal run and hitting the front.
The first goal of the final term was going to be crucial and, much to the delight of the Darley supporters, it fell the way of their spearhead, Dane Grenfell.
When Edwards again kicked truly moments later, the Devils were back in front.
A further two goals followed and suddenly the Darley lead was back out to 14 points.
Devils coach Rod MacPherson was impressed with his team’s performance.
“I haven’t been able to question their effort all year, and it’s just finally good to get a scalp among the big three,” he said.
The victory was Darley’s first against Redan since 2008.
“We can’t control what other people think. That’s for them to decide,” MacPherson said. “This has been a bogey team for us to some degree. It was really important to get this win. It’s got our season back on track now; we’re where we want to be. I just said at three-quarter time, ‘If we are going to go down, we’re going down swinging’.”
Shane Page ended the match with five goals and Edwards four, while Jake Ancrum was also among the leading players.
Darley has the bye this weekend then hosts Sunbury Lions at Darley Park from 2.15pm on Saturday, July 13. Darley lost by two points to Sunbury in late April after missing three shots at the go-ahead goal late in the game, the last after the siren.
— with James Taylor, Ballarat Courier
