THERE’S a lethal Leigh at Darley. And after inspiring the Devils to their first win in more than a year, Leigh Sobotnicki was the talk of the Ballarat Football League on Saturday.
Sobotnicki kicked four goals for the night and had a purple patch in the last quarter as Darley broke away from Melton South to win 13.18 (96) to 10.14 (74) at Melton Recreation
Reserve.
There was no clear better team for the first three quarters, with Darley taking a two-point lead to the last change. But four goals to one in the final term sealed victory in Rod McPherson’s first game in charge.
Melton South launched its season in the corresponding fixture last year and went on to play finals. But it couldn’t repeat the winning effort this time as its run dried up in the final term.
Jake Edwards goaled in the opening exchanges of the final term to extend Darley’s lead to eight points before Sobotnicki snared a quick double to have the margin at 20 points after just seven minutes.
Sobotnicki was a live-wire in the forward line, taking marks and setting up teammates for scoring opportunities. Had he kicked straight, the Western Jets-listed recruit from Rockbank could have four goals of his own in the final quarter alone.
When Dane Grenfell snapped a 30-metre goal at the 16-minute mark the margin was 26 and Melton South was cut adrift.
The Panthers were left to rue missed
opportunities in the first and third quarters, jumping Darley early but kicking 3.4 and
3.7.
Nathan Jackel’s pace was a highlight for the Devils as his run and carry through the middle left Melton South chasing.
Mathew Notman was best for the Panthers, along with Jonathan Doran and Shane Tobin, while forward Mathew Sutton returned five goals.
Darley will play Melton this weekend, while Melton South meets Sunbury Lions at Clarke Oval on Tuesday night.
