Tara Murray
The next generation is starting to come through for Darley in the Ballarat Netball League.
After two straight grand finals with a similar line up, there have been some changes at the Devils in the off season.
Devils coach Di McCormack said it was always hard losing key pieces of a squad, she was looking forward to the new challenge.
She said what she had aimed for when she took over as coach is starting to come to fruition.
“The last two years I’ve known what the side has been that I’ve gone out to coach,” she said.
“There’s a bit of an unknown and there’s a number of fresh faces.
“The club is in a really good position and doing a great job of developing their players. They now have a chance to play at the highest level.”
The Devils have lost Rebecca Hicks, who was the competition’s leading goal scorer last season, who has joined the Sunbury Lions.
Star defender Grace Markovic is also on the move, having crossed to Hepburn in the Central Highlands Netball League
Anna Lawley has joined the club and will form a strong combination in the defence end.
Ella Closter has stepped up to A-grade and will fill the void left by Hicks.
Olivia Cawthray, who spent much of last season injured, is back fully fit as well.
McCormack said it was exciting for Closter, who has made her Victorian Netball League under-23, have the chance to step up.
“I’m super proud of her,” she said. “She’s had a lot of foot injuries and she’s still been able to get where she is.”
Chelsea Mason and Lucy Taylor, who were also part of the under-19 premiership team last season with Closter, will also play some A-grade this season. Holly Barrett another of that team played in round one as well.
McCormack said they had a lot of Darley juniors flowing through the other grades which was a really good sign for the future of the club.
The Devils started the season with a solid win against East Point. Key midcourters Prue Stanley and Shannon Blackman both missed the match.
The Devils on Saturday faced North Ballarat in a grand final rematch.
The Devils were able to get some region, winning 43-42.
Cawthray shot 31 goals for the Devils.
McCormack said while they would love to get back to another grand final, for them this season it’s about the bigger picture.
McCormack said it would take a while for things to click. She had only three in person sessions with them before the season started due to an overseas trip.
“There will be some challenges,” she said. “There’s a few good recruits.
“We’re aiming to make the top six and anything can happen from there.”
In other results. Melton lost to Sebastopol, 43-41, Melton South lost to the Sunbury Lions, 67-46 and Bacchus Marsh lost to Lake Wendouree, 70-22.
