Darley showed why it had been the team to beat all season as it claimed its second Ballarat Football League premiership in three years.
The Devils had the perfect first quarter in Saturday’s grand final against the Sunbury Lions and the game was all but done from that point.
While the Lions fought hard, the Devils had all the answers as they ran away with the 11.13 (79)-6.9 (45) win at City Oval.
Devils coach Dan Jordan said this premiership might take a while to sink in.
“In 2023 it was so adrenaline charged, this one I’m really proud of the boys,” he said. “I thought they had worked themselves into a position to be the best team all year.
“The danger is you can get to the grand final and if you don’t win it, it’s disappointing.
“But they were really dialled in and focused during the week.
“I’m so proud of them. They’ve worked so hard.”
Jordan said he felt like the group knew it had business to do and the start showed that early in the game.
The Devils made the most of the wind as they led 47-0 at quarter time.
“Arguably, the game is done at quarter time,” he said. “I thought they were on to be honest.
“A bit more wind advantage in that first quarter. I thought it was still one of those things, you have to make the most of your opportunities.
“Initially first seven minutes we didn’t, but then we started to slip into gear and I thought we had a good quarter.
“Then to back it up in the second quarter, Sunbury only kicked a couple of goals and obviously had their backs to the wall post that.”
Jordan said they were able to close the game down a little bit in the second half with Sunbury needing to take plenty of risks to get back into it.
He said Sunbury tried valiantly in the second half but the gap was too big and the maturity of his group was on show.
Mace Cousins and Nick Hind kicked two goals each for the Devils.
Skipper Brett Bewley was awarded Roy Edward Memorial Trophy while the umpires awarded Hind the AFL Victoria best on ground medal.
Hind was the only real inclusion for the Devils this season, joining the club after his AFL career ended.
Jordan said he was pretty nervous heading into the game.
“Fortunately or unfortunately, Nick is my best mate,” Jordan said. “He has been busting to go somewhere and have some success.
“When he was done with his AFL career he was always going to come play for me. I knew what he would give to us.
“Not only on field, but to the club he has been instrumental with the juniors and the whole women’s program.
“He’s been unbelievable for our club and it’s good to see him get the rewards on grand final day, which he’s never played on before.”
Jordan said Bewley had an outstanding season again and he’s rapt for him to be recognised for his performance on grand final day.
He said it was about the only thing missing from his footy career.
The premiership was the Devils fourth since 2015 which was its first in the Ballarat league.
Jordan said the club wants to continue to build a legacy.
“We want to have sustained success,” he said. “We want our juniors coming through.
“To have all bar Nick one-pointers, is testament to the club and how it’s developing.
“We’ve got some good young groups coming through.”
The senior premiership adds to the A-grade and B-grade netball also won on Saturday and the women’s football premiership which was won earlier this month.
Speaking not long after the siren, Jordan said it sounded like it would be a big party at Darley Park for a little while.
