Darley showed some of its best form as it ended local rival Bacchus Marsh’s season in the Ballarat Football League.
Facing off in an elimination final, there was more than just bragging rights on the line for both sides.
For the first half it looked like the match could go either way, with the Devils leading by just three points at the main break.
At three-quarter time the margin was 12 points in favour of the Devils.
For a second straight week, the Devils found another level in the last quarter.
This time they kicked 6.7 to three points, to run away with a 12.20 (92)-5.10 (40) win.
Devils coach Heath Scotland was one happy man following the win.
“We knew Bacchus Marsh would throw everything at us, we’ve had it over them,” he said. “We just needed to weather the storm and we didn’t think that they could sustain that high level as long as we could.
“It worked out that way. We’re really fit, it’s between the ears for us.”
Scotland said having a more settled line-up in the past six weeks was starting to show.
They were getting a more even spread across the board.
Scotland said Luther Baker played his best game of the season and was good alongside Steven Kennedy (three goals), Rhys Ellis, Darren Leonard and Jacob Zeestraten.
Scotland also singled out the performance of Abe Kur in the ruck, who curbed the involvement of Daniel Burton.
Kur’s performance meant the Devils ruck plans were thrown out the window, with Dylan Reid also playing a role.
“We would have liked a 50-50 split between the two in the ruck,” Scotland said.
“But such form that Abe showed, we didn’t want to remove him from the ruck.”
Scotland said having two talls like that would be beneficial against a side like North Ballarat City, which they face this week.
For the Cobras, Ben Speight was the only multiple goalkicker with two goals.
Ryley Stuhldreier was named their best.
Scotland said besides a few niggles, they got through the game unscathed.
He said Tate Stone was a chance to return this week, but he said Jake Edwards’ season might be over.
“He’s probably done for the season,” Scotland said. “Maybe if we make the grand final and he rehabs well, he might play, but he has a serious hamstring injury.”
The Devils face North Ballarat City in a knock out semi-final.
The two teams met in the second last round of the regular season, with North Ballarat City dominant all day.
“We felt like we controlled the game earlier in the year and they reversed that on us last time.
“We didn’t execute our plans and it wasn’t how we wanted to play.
“They’ve had a demoralising defeat and they want to bounce back. We want to bounce back from the last time we played them.”
