Tara Murray
Darley will have to regroup and go again if it’s to make it through to a second straight Ballarat Football League grand final.
Last year’s premiers, faced Melton on Saturday in a semi final at Darley Park, for its first tilt at a grand final spot.
The Bloods led at every break and were able to increase the margin from 13 points at quarter time to 47 points at the last break.
The Devils weren’t able to make much inroads in the final quarter with the Bloods winning, 12.12 (84)-6.5 (41).
Devils coach Dan Jordan said they struggled to make the most of their opportunities
“They were too slick for us,” he said. “I thought we had plenty of the ball but we gave it back to them and they took full advantage.
“They are a high quality side. They are the benchmark and we take some learnings out of it.”
Jordan thought they had stages of the game where they were in control.
He said the last 20 minutes of the second quarter was positive but they just couldn’t put the score on the board to close the gap on the Bloods.
“We needed to make the most of our opportunities,” he said. “I thought we were still in the game midway through the third quarter.
“They capitalised on a couple of mistakes. We tried valiantly in the final quarter but weren’t able to get back into it.”
Brady Wright was the only Devil to kick multiple goals, finishing with two goals.
Jordan said he was again one of their best, presenting as a target up forward all game.
Joel Cadman also had a strong game for the Devils, while the usual suspects like Brett Bewley were busy.
Jordan said they didn’t have enough contributors on the day to get across the line.
“We didn’t get enough for our bottom five or six, they had poor games,” he said. “We need them to fulfill their roles in finals.”
The Devils will now face East Point in the preliminary final this Saturday.
East Point beat Ballarat in the other semi final, 7.6 (48)-5.12 (42) on Sunday.
Jordan knows they have a challenge ahead of them.
“East Point quality team all year best as good as any one,” he said. “There’s no easy games.
“Every game has a different preparation, we have to be at our best.”
Elsewhere, Bacchus Marsh’s under-19s will also have to play in a preliminary final after losing to East Point on Saturday.
The Cobras will face Lake Wendouree.
