It was double the celebrations for Darley on Saturday, with its reserves joining the senior side as Ballarat Football League premiers.
Both sides had the same task on grand final day – to beat arch rivals Bacchus Marsh to seal premiership glory.
While the seniors were in front all day, the reserves had to come from behind to get the win.
The Devils kicked five last quarter goals to seal the 8.13 (61)-7.5 (47) win.
Cobras playing coach Travis Minns said the win was special for everyone at the club. It’s the club’s first reserves premiership since 1989.
“It feels as good as anything I’ve felt in my life,’ he said.
“Just the way the guys went about it. It means so much to so many people at our footy club who are the heart and soul of the club.
“To see the smile on their faces and see how happy they are.
“In 10 years time we get to come back and celebrate the one day where we were kings, it just means so much to everyone.”
The Devils had to do it the hard way having trailed all day.
The Cobras made the most of kicking with a distinct breeze in the first quarter, leading by four goals at quarter-time.
That margin was down to six points at half-time, but could have been closer if the Devils kicked straight.
The Cobras extended that back to 12 points at three-quarter time, with the Devils kicking with the wind in the final quarter.
Despite being outscored in that third quarter, Minns said the signs were there that things were turning in their favour.
“I think we played the conditions a lot better in the third quarter than we did in the first half,” he said.
“I thought we came out all guns blazing and our tackling pressure was up, but there was a couple of little things [we weren’t doing right].
“We played into their hands. In the third quarter when we slowed it up and absorbed the pressure we found some uncontested marks and opened it up.”
Minns knew at this point his side was in a good position to really take it to the Cobras in the last quarter.
“We’ve come from behind in our last three finals,” he said.
Dane Grenfell kicked three goals for the Devils, all which game in the final quarter. Aaron Speak chipped in with two goals.
Brad Inglis was awarded the best on ground medal.
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