Tara Murray
Darley produced one of its best performances of the Ballarat Football League women’s season to upset Redan in the first week of finals.
The Lions entered finals undefeated and having beaten the Devils by 11 points in the final round.
The Devils were able to turn the table on Sunday.
The Devils kicked the first goal of the game and managed to get the margin out to 16 points at half time.
Redan struggled to convert in the third quarter kicking six points, while the Devils kicked the only goal of the quarter to extend the margin by one.
They were able to continue to make it hard for the Lions to score, holding on to win, 3.6 (24)-0.9 (9).
Kim Bessell kicked the only three goals of the game.
Heidi Pearce, Amelia Williams Otutaha and Lilli Condon were named the Devils best.
Devils coach Brett Faulkhead said it was a really strong team performance from the group.
“Everything clicked and the belief in the girls was there,” he said. “The bond the girls have created for each other was there.
“They performed for each other.”
The win sets up a semi final clash with local rival Bacchus Marsh in the semi finals. The winner will go through to the grand final, the loser into a preliminary final.
Last time the two teams played, the Cobras upset the Devils.
The final is set to play at Darley Park.
Faulkhead said they would look to prepare for the game this week.
“It’s a big game against the Cobras and the grand prize is a spot in the grand final and loser into the preliminary final,” he said.
“It’s good for the local football community.”
