Harper Sercombe
Darley is through to the Ballarat Football League women’s grand final for a second successive season.
The Devils passed Lake Wendouree with ease in Sunday’s clash and are looking more and more likely to secure premiership success in a couple of weeks time.
The Devils started strong, putting on six goals in the first term and a further three in the second, without conceding a goal, giving them a 56 point half time lead.
The Lakers were able to hit the scoreboard after half time, booting two in the third and last term. However, the game was well and truly over by that point with the devils running away with a 14.6 (90)-4.3 (27) win.
Kim Bessell continued on with her dominant year kicking another nine goals to take her season tally to 119 majors.
Skipper Lilli Conon was named as best on ground which continues her stunning run of form, as being named in the best players for all but one match throughout the year. Young gun Matilda Rawlings had her breakout game for the club booting three goals, including two of the first three of the day, playing in a forward, ruck roll.
Devils president Mark Shelly said his club was clearly dominant on the day.
“In the first couple of minutes of the game, you sort of understood what was going to happen,” he said.
“Condon had two clearances within the first two centre bounces and they resulted in fairly quick goals and that probably set the pattern for the rest of the day.
“There were a number of players that I thought really contributed.
“I thought Madison Lister was outstanding today. Crystal Layton was really, really good. She seems to find space and disposal that is first class.
“Emmerson Hitch across half back, she has a massive influence on the team, she’s a general across half back.
“Matilda Rawlings is a very, very young girl, she’s only 16, 17 playing senior women’s football, she was exceptional.”
After making the grand final last season and losing to Redan, Shelly said they are ready to write the wrongs of last year’s disappointment.
“The credit goes to the people around the women’s team itself,” he said.
“In particular our senior coaches here… but there’s also people around the team, and I think there’s one guy that deserves a special mention is Ben Skinner, who has stepped up to become the team manager.
“I think that sort of stuff goes a bit unrecognised at this level of football.
“One thing that we’ve noticed as a club this year is that there’s been a massive buy-in from this group of girls.
With a week off the rest up, the Devils will be keen to see who wins in next week’s preliminary final between Lake Wendouree and Redan, with the winner winning through to the grand final
“Hopefully, everybody’s fit and ready to go in two weeks’ time when they chase the ultimate prize,” Shelly said.
In the men’s results Darley beat the Sunbury Lions 20.4 (124)-11.13 (79), Leigh Spiteri and Will Johnson kicked four goals each. Darley will face Melton in a qualifying final on the weekend.
