Darley kept reigning premiers Bacchus Marsh to just three second-half goals to take home the points in their Ballarat Football League clash on Sunday.
Both teams entered the match keen for a winning start after watching other sides start their seasons over the past two weekends.
Darley Devils lead by a goal at the first break after an even first quarter. The Cobras turned the tables to lead by 11 at the main break with star forward Jarrah Maksymow kicking five first half goals.
At half-time it looked like the game would produce a thrilling second half but the Devils had other ideas.
They kicked 6.3 to the Cobras six points, to lead by 22 points at the last change. The lead was a match-winning one, with the Devils winning 13.15 (93)-10.14 (74).
Leigh Spiteri kicked five goals for the Devils and was among the best.
Brian Graham was best on ground in his first game for the club, and fellow recruit Kyle Docherty provided a handy target up forward.
New Devils coach Heath Scotland made a surprise appearance having recovered from knee surgery and proved a handful in the middle in the second half.
For the Cobras, Maksymow was the only multiple goalscorer, but he could not add to his five first half goals.
Scott Sherlock was the Cobras’ best, along with the usual suspects in Maksymow, Alec Del Papa and Matt Denham. The Cobras will unveil their premiership flag on Saturday before the grand final rematch against Sunbury Lions.
The Devils will face Melton, which is coming off two disappointing losses including Saturday’s game against Sunbury Lions.
In dewy conditions, the Bloods kicked just three goals, only one in the second half, in the 8.12 (60)-3.4 (22) loss.
Braedan Kight kicked two goals while Tom Button kicked the other.
Lachlan Walker was named best in a game the Bloods would like to forget.
Melton South will play North Ballarat City on Anzac Day.
In more big news for the Panthers, they announced last week they’d signed another former AFL player.
Former Richmond and Sydney ruckman Tom Derickx is expected to play between six to eight games for the Panthers this season, including Anzac Day.
He joins Brendan Fevola, Nick Kommer, Mitch Banner and Tayte Pears as former AFL players who have joined the club this year.
Co-coach Sean Triplett said it was Derickx’s friendship with Kommer that helped get him to the club.
He said the combination of having Derickx and fellow ruckman Ben Sortino would make them hard to match up against.
