Tara Murray
Darley has its eyes set high in the Ballarat Football League women’s competition.
Having slowly built they side the last few years, the Devils sit second on the ladder after nine rounds, only percentage behind Redan.
Devils coach Jack Hanneysee said confidence was starting to grow in the group that they can match it with Redan, after winning the last match between the pair.
“We’re just coasting along,” he said. “Beating Redan, we’re pretty happy with that.
“Beating them this year was a goal for us. We only played them once last.
“When we played them they kicked the first three goals, and then we worked hard to get over the top of them.”
Hanneysee said there’s a big gap in the competition, with the top two sides already sitting well clear at the top of the ladder.
He said while there had been a couple of surprise packets there was a big gap between the top and bottom sides.
The Devils side is a combination of experience and young players, which has been built the last couple of years.
“I took over two years ago and started with a core group of girls,” he said.
“I brought in some girls that had played for me before. Lots of faces that I’ve known in different leagues and they had an impact last year and come back this year and played some good footy.
“We’ve got four or five young ones come in this year. Our under-18s folded, but some were already playing for us.
“They push the other girls up a level.”
On Sunday, the Devils faced Bacchus Marsh for a third time this season. And for the third time it was a 100-point win, with the Devils winning 15.17 (107)-0.2 (107).
Kim Bessell kicked eight goals in the win.
Bronwyn Gell and Stephanie Thompson were named the Devils best.
Macy Le Huray was named the Cobras best.
Hanneysee said they were keen to continue to build through the back half of the season.
“The girls are excited and I think they can to it, it will just depend on how they show up in the next part of the season.”
Despite building a strong team, Hanneysee has already decided that he won’t be coaching next season.
He said he’d still stay involved, but said the girls need a new voice to keep things fresh.
