Tara Murray
Darley’s core group has returned as it aims to go one step further in the Ballarat Netball League.
After a grand final appearance last season, the Devils have started this season with two wins to continue on with their good form.
Devils coach Di McCormack said across the board there was a lot of motivation in the group.
“The girls are happy and they want to be there,” she said. “They want to play together and there is that fire in the belly to improve.
“They’ve all come back to have another crack and improve on last year and hopefully win it.”
McCormack, who missed most of the pre-season, said she had been happy with how the group had started the season.
On Saturday, the Devils beat a young Bacchus Marsh team, 95-9.
“The first one was a good win for us,” she said. “We elevated some of the younger players.
“Ella Closter did a fantastic job. Aleisha [Tainui] came in on Saturday and provided some quality ball.
“We would have liked to have hit the 100 mark as per cent is going to matter come the end of the season.”
McCormack used the opportunity to try some different things against the Cobras, with many of the group not able to train together.
Rebecca Hicks in her first match for the season shot 82 of the Devils goals.
McCormack said if there’s one area that they’re still looking to strengthen in the goaling end.
“Mon [Nagle] is out with a back injury,” she said. “Hopefully she’ll be back next week.
“Ailish [McCormack] can run in the circle if we need her to, she has a good connection with Becca.”
McCormack said their defence end had started really strongly, especially Matilda Elliot.
In a boost Niamh Vahland is back from injury.
McCormack said Vahland won’t play A-grade every week.
“She won’t play every week as she returns from an achilles injury,” she said. “She’ll play some B-grade as well as she finds her feet again.
“Ellie [Martin] and Tarni [Lopes] will play a bit of B-grade too, to give them more court time and keep them match fit.”
McCormack said they had some strong sides across the board this season.
She said their B-grade side was pretty similar, while the under-19 team which made the grand final is again a strong line up.
The Devils E-grade side has won their first two matches ever in the opening two rounds.
In other results, Melton South beat East Point 53-31 and Melton lost to the Sunbury Lions 70-19.
