Darley coach Heath Scotland got the response he was after from his playing group on Saturday in the Ballarat Football League.
After a disappointing loss to North Ballarat City in the previous round, Scotland wanted to see some of their best form in the final round against ladder leaders East Point.
He got exactly that, as the Devils upset the Kangaroos, winning 11.16 (82)-8.14 (62).
Scotland said they showed some of the form that they would need in finals if they were to progress past the first week.
“It was nice to respond that way,” he said.
“They had a few players out, but you never want to lose heading into finals.
“I was pleased with how we approached the game and we were able to execute the game plan and got the result.
“We wanted to prove ourselves to the competition.”
The Devils led at every break and steadied in the last quarter, after the Kangaroos came at them in the third quarter.
The Kangaroos kicked four goals to one in the third to reduce the margin to three points heading into the final change.
The Devils did it, with only 20 fit men, with Scotland and Jake Edwards both on the sidelines late in the game.
“We knew that they would come at us at some stage,” Scotland said. “We responded again and will feel confident heading into next week.”
Daniel Robson kicked three goals for the Devils.
Scotland said Tom Evans, Jackson Carrick, Steven Kennedy and Shane Page were the best in the win.
He said the key, though, was having an even spread. “The difference was having multiple winners across the ground. Last week we only had a couple in that position.”
Scotland said himself and Edwards had niggles and would be assessed later in the week.
He said if they didn’t come up, they were confident of having players to step up and fill those roles having had 41 players play senior football this year.
In a plus for the Devils, ruckman Dylan Reid got through a game in the reserves and will likely return to the senior side.
The Devils finished the regular season in fourth and now face arch rival Bacchus Marsh in an elimination final on Sunday.
The Cobras, which had been looking at a top two spot, lost to Melton in the final round, 10.11 (71)-9.10 (64).
And it’s no surprise the league scheduled the final at Darley Park which will hopefully attract a big crowd. Scotland said it doesn’t get much better than playing Bacchus Marsh in a final.
“We’ve had the edge over them of late,” he said. “There is no second chance. We expect them to respond to those losses [this year] and last year’s grand final loss.”
Melton’s win against Bacchus Marsh left them finishing in third spot and they will face Lake Wendouree in an elimination final on Saturday at Darley Park.
Melton South finished its season with a 22.13 (145)-8.10 (58) loss to Sebastopol.
