Tara Murray
Darley is through to a third straight Ballarat Football League women’s grand final and kept its hopes of back-to-back premierships alive.
The Devils produced a stunning display in the second half of its semi final with local rival Bacchus Marsh to come away with a 15.15 (105)-1.1 (7) win.
Devils coach Brett Faulkhead said the group was really excited and so proud of what they had achieved so far.
“We have worked damn hard to get to this point,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of injuries and a lot of road blocks this year.
“We had one game where we played five under-16 players to come up and help us out. The girls’ resilience and the culture they are building is growing every week.”
The Devils went in as favourites against the Cobras but it was the Cobras that had won the last meeting between the teams.
Faulkhead said they were keen to put out a strong performance against the Cobras.
“The girls didn’t shirk the situation and they pulled together,” he said. “It meant a lot for the club because at the end was the reward of playing in a grand final in two weeks time or playing in Redan in a preliminary final.
“The girls made their decision.”
While the Devils led 40-6 at half time, the Devils weren’t happy. Faulkhead said they knew they could play better football.
“The first half was a bit scrappy and not our normal game,” he said. “We talked at half time about what was missing and the things we needed to do.
“The second half we played our own game and showed what we had been working on this year. It paid off.”
Faulkhead said the Cobras stuck with them for half game but the Devils extra polish showed in the second half.
Kim Bessell kicked six goals for the Devils, while Madalyn Clarke kicked four goals.
Faulkhead said everyone really contributed to the win.
“The leadership group took part in the discussion at half time,” he said. “Everyone contributed.
“If you have a weak link on a chain, the link will break and we didn’t have one.”
Tara and Erin Keenan, and Zaylie Le Huray were the Cobras best.
The Devils now get the week off before the grand final while the Cobras will face Redan, which beat East Point.
Faulkhead said having been in the same spot last year, they know the luxury of having the week off.
“We’ve got a few niggles and it gives them time to recoup,” he said. “We’ll put in the rehab and get them right.
“The hard part will be picking the 24 for the grand final. We had a few back this week and maybe one or two more back for the grand final.
“We’re very proud of what we have been able to achieve this year.”
