The local rivalry was the perfect way to kick off Ballarat Football League women’s finals action, with Bacchus Marsh getting the upper hand on Darley.
After finishing second and third, Darley and Bacchus Marsh were in action in the qualifying final on Sunday.
Darley had won two of the three matchups between the sides during the season, including the most recent in round 15.
On Saturday, there wasn’t much between the two sides in the first half, with the Devils leading by seven points at the main break,
Three goals in the third quarter broke open the game for the Cobras before they finished it off with another three in the final quarter to win, 9.5 (59)-5.4 (34).
Cobras coach Alan Johnson said it was a good feeling to get over the Devils in the finals.
“We’ve very happy with the win,” he said. “The rivalry is there and it’s a good healthy rivalry and it’s good to win in a finals.
“The challenge was there.”
Johnson said it was a really start to the game for the Devils as they kicked the first couple of goals, before they managed to get one against the tide.
He said an ankle injury to reigning league best and fairest winner Lilli Condon was a big blow for the Devils and halted a bit of their momentum.
“I hope she is OK,” Johnson said. “It’s disappointing to see good players like that get injured.”
Johnson said seeing how his side played in the second half was pretty pleasing.
“They went hard at the ball and played some really good football,” he said. “They played well as a team and gelled together really well.”
Isabella Faralla and Charli O’Connor kicked two goals each for the Cobras.
Johnson said Mel Freeman, Chloe Walker, Dakota Simo and Remy Day were all really strong performers.
Simo was playing just her second game and first final, having been playing in the club’s under-19s.
Johnson said he felt they had a really good spread of contributors, especially in the second half.
Kim Bessell kicked three goals for the Devils.
Eliza Wilson-Macdonald, Chloe Oughtred and Jaye Dalgleish were named the Devils best.
The Cobras find themselves in the same position as last season, with two shots at a grand final spot.
The difference this year is there are only five teams playing finals, not six.
The Cobras will face Redan on Sunday in the first of those two shots.
“It will not be easy,” Johnson said. “We know there is a challenge ahead.
“They have been really dominant in a couple of games but the last one was tight.
“We know the standard and we have to step up. A grand final would be a really good bonus and if we can get there it would be a reward for the work they’ve put in.
Darley will play East Point in a knockout semi final on Sunday.
