By Tara Murray
Darley coach Dan Jordan is happy where his side is sitting after a couple of strong hit outs to start the Ballarat Football League season.
The Devils sit 1-1 after first up meetings with reigning premiers Melton and another finalist from last season, the Sunbury Lions.
The Devils have a bye on the weekend due to the Easter break.
“We’re gelling pretty well,” Jordan said. “We have our own ideas of where we are at, but until you get into the season, you’re not sure.
“I think we’re standing up. We’ve played two really good sides and been in both games. On a sample size, we’re looking competitive in some areas and there are other areas that we need to work on.”
Jordan said they are nowhere near their best early in the season. The Devils last season made the preliminary final, but Jordan said after that loss they were a bit off the top couple of teams.
He said they had shown some patches in both their first two matches this season, without putting it all together.
“We struggled to get on the board early against Sunbury,” he said. “They sliced us open and were able to capitalise on the scoreboard.”
Jordan said they were able to make some changes and start to play the way they wanted to, with the side able to get reward for effort in the second half.
“We were able to get the first two goals of the third quarter and were able to gain momentum from there.”
Many of the Devils stars have picked up where they left off from last year. Will Johnson kicked six goals in a best on ground performance.
Brett Bewley, Zane Le Huray and Matthew Brett were also strong.
Another to start the season strongly is off season recruit, Nick Hind.
The former St Kilda and Essendon player has been handy in both games.
“He has the break away speed that we have lacked a little bit previously,” Jordan said. “We moved him forward and he kicked two goals in the second quarter and got us going.
“He helped us find the run and carry.”
Jordan said the break would be nice after having two tough taxing matches in the first two rounds.
It doesn’t come any easier for the Devils after the break, as they face cross town rival Bacchus Marsh on April 26.
The Cobras are in action on Good Friday in one of two matches.
The Cobras are at home against East Point.
