It was fourth time lucky for Darley as the heartbreak of the past was forgotten as it won its first Ballarat Netball League A-grade premiership.
The Devils played off in their fourth straight grand final on Saturday at City Oval against a familiar foe, the Sunbury Lions.
The two sides played off in last season’s decider, which the Lions won, with the Devils the only team to beat them this season.
In the semi finals, the Lions won but the Devils pushed them all the way.
This time it was the Devils that were in control of the game.
They led by two goals at quarter time and extended that to four goals at half time.
While the margin was five goals at the last change, the margin had been out to as much as eight.
The Lions came hard in the final quarter and got the margin back to just one goal.
They had their chances, but the Devils defence stood up strong.
Darley was able to hold off the late comeback to win, 51-46 and finally get that premiership they were after.
Devils coach Shannon Blackman was pretty emotional post game.
“It’s just crazy,” she said. “It’s a bit of an emotional rollercoaster I think.
“We just wanted it. Everyone played for each other and that’s what it was this season.
“I’m still shocked that we won both A and B-grade.”
Blackman said they took a lot of confidence out of the semi final match up with the Lions.
She said last time they tried to force the ball in too much.
This time they were more patient.
“Our focus coming into this final was to work on making sure we reward the defenders when they get an intercept,” she said.
“We made sure we got a turnover, we worked it to circle edge. Be patient and still make repetitive efforts even if we weren’t getting ball.”
Olivia Cawthray shot 45 goals for the Devils, while Monique Nagle shot four goals and Ailish McCormack shot two.
Goalkeeper Matilda Elliot was named best on court for her performance firstly on leading goalscorer Rebecca Hicks and then Caitlin Hill.
It’s not the first time Elliot has claimed a best on court medal, doing it in the Riddell District Netball League grand final in 2019.
“I love Til,” Blackman said. “She’s great.
“In those moments when it got close, she was able to win it for us.”
Blackman said it wasn’t easy coming back each year and still playing at that high level to make a grand final.
“There’s that extra pressure,” she said. “You’ve been in the grand final the last four times, that you guys should win.”
Blackman, who took over as coach this season, was full of praise for Di McCormack, who had guided the side to the previous three grand finals.
McCormack, who was in the crowd, was the one who turned the program around, with the club struggling to win matches before she came across.
She bought across a number of players when she came, including Blackman.
“If it wasn’t for her, this club wouldn’t be up and running how it is at the moment,,” she said.
Part of McCormack’s plan was to bring through Darley youngsters into top sides which they’ve been doing.
Blackman said that it was pretty special to see those girls get their chance after working their way up.
The Devils’ B-grade side also got the job done against the Lions in the grand final, winning 55-40.
The Devils set the win up in the first half, leading by 10 goals at half time.
Victoria Abdulnour shot 42 goals for the Devils.
Blackman said they came out strong and played like they had all season.
The D-grade side fell short, losing to the Lions, 39-23.
It was the first grand final the D-grade side had made.
