Darley will take plenty of positives out of the first week of Ballarat Football League women’s finals, despite losing to Redan on Sunday.
The two standout teams all season, both teams were keen to get the upper hand and the better run to the grand final.
The Lions kicked four goals in the first quarter to take control of the match. After that point it was five goals to three, with the Lions winning, 9.10 (64)-3.4 (22).
Devils coach Jack Hanneysee said there wasn’t much difference between the two teams on the day.
“We get a second chance and we will look to win through that way,” he said.
“It was very wet and very slippery. They had a couple of players get off the chain, but apart from that there was nothing in it.
“The girls did pretty well and they can hold their heads up high.”
Hanneysee said the conditions helped Redan. He said his side had one training session in the wet all year, while Redan, which was playing on their home deck, was used to the wet weather and made the most of it.
Kim Bessell, Taylor Ford and Bella Phillps were the goal kickers for the Devils.
Hanneysee said Kali Joyce in the ruck, and Ella Tyson and Tamara Henry in the midfield, were the standouts for his side doing a lot of the hard work in the middle of the ground.
The loss means the Devils will have to win two knockout finals in a row to make the grand final.
The first of those is against the arch rival, Bacchus Marsh.
In the three matches during the season, the Devils won by more than 90 points on each occasion.
Hanneysee said they would look to work on things throughout the match.
“It’s a good opportunity to go through the way we set up,” he said. “We’ll look to try a few different things as well.”
The Cobras kept their season alive with an upset win against Lake Wendouree.
A four goal to nil first quarter set of the Cobras win. While the Lakers came back at them, they were able to come away with the win, 7.5 (47)-4.5 (29).
Abbey Bertram kicked two goals for the Cobras, while Vanessa Mayne was named their best.
Melton’s season though is over after losing the other elimination final to Sebastopol, 5.10 (40)-0.2 (2).
Jordan Syme and Linda Morren were named the Bloods best.
Sebastopol will play Redan for a spot in the grand final in the other semi final this Sunday.
