Darley returned to the winners’ list with a hard-fought, low-scoring win against Lake Wendouree.
It was a scrappy game in wet and windy conditions and the Devils had the better of the game.
If not for poor goalkicking the margin could have been much bigger than the 5.15 (45)-4.3 (27) final scoreline. The Devils led by 10 points at quarter-time and 19 points at the main break.
The Devils were wasteful in front of goal in the second half, kicking 2.8, but it didn’t matter as the Lakers were unable to close the gap.
It was all single goalkickers for the Devils and Jacob Zeestraten was named best on ground.
The win gives the Devils a 2-2 record, having lost to Melton and been on different ends of thrillers against Bacchus Marsh and Sunbury Lions.
Melton suffered a second straight thrilling loss, this time against the Sunbury Lions.
Playing under lights in difficult conditions, goals were a rarity.
Scores were level at half-time and neither side could find the goals in the third, kicking three points for the quarter between them.
The Lions kicked the first goal of the last quarter to hit the front, before the Bloods responded.
Jack Landt’s second goal of the game sealed the Lions’ win 5.9 (39)-4.7 (31). Braedan Kight kicked half of the Bloods goals.
Jack Walker was named the Bloods’ best in the loss, along with Jaycob Hickey and Lachlan Walker.
Bacchus Marsh had to come from behind against Melton South in an injury disrupted match. Play was stopped in the first quarter, with an ambulance called to attend to the Cobras’ Jake Owen who was knocked out.
Once play resumed, it was the Panthers, who were coming off the bye, who looked the better team in the first half, leading by as much as 23 points in the second quarter.
The Panthers kicked just one goal in the second half and the Cobras over-ran them, winning 10.21 (81)-7.9 (51).
Aaron Willitts kicked five goals for the Cobras, with Liam Mullen and Billy Griffiths named the Cobras’ best.
Mitchell Golby kicked three goals for the Panthers in the continued absence of Brendan Fevola. After serving a suspension, Fevola missed the Cobras game through injury.
Lachlan Watkins was the pick of the Panthers, named in the best for a third time.
All teams have the week off this weekend, with the AFL Victoria Community Championships.
The Ballarat Football League will face Goulburn Valley on Saturday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Tara Murray
