Darley knocks off Sebastopol to secure first Ballarat league win since 2019

Chasing its first win in 960 days, Darley held on bravely to break its drought against Sebastopol despite two star recruits having ‘compromised preparations’

Darley's Shane Page. Picture: Damian Visentini

After 960 days, Darley is back in the Ballarat Football League winner’s circle.

The Devils were winless in 2021 but wasted no time picking up four points in 2022, knocking off Sebastopol by six points at Marty Busch Reserve on Saturday.

Holding a 38-point lead at three-quarter-time it looked like a comfortable win was in the offing before a Burras last-quarter burst almost snatched victory.

However, Darley held on to secure a 10.12 (72) to 9.12 (66) win, the first for new coach Dan Jordan.

Jordan was rapt for his players but said there was still plenty of work to do.

“It was fantastic for the boys, it’s been three years for them,” he said.

“What’s happened before or what happened last year is inconsequential, it’s a fresh start and we want to try to build something.

“Sebas was in a grand final in 2019 and top three or four last year, so it was a great test for us to see where we’re at.

“We played some good footy and then they really challenged us late, so to hold our resolve and get the win was really good for us.”

Kicking with a strong wind Darley jumped out of the blocks, kicking 4.6 to nil in the opening term and held a 20-point lead at halftime.

The Devils piled on 4.4 to 1.4 in the third term and looked headed for a strong win before injuries took their toll in the final quarter.

Key defender Darren Leonard sat out the second half after tweaking his back but should be fit for Round 2 following the Easter break.

Skipper and ex-AFL star Brett Bewley and Joel Cadman kicked two goals apiece in the win.

Following a pre-season shift to defence Mace Cousins was named best-on-ground, impressing at half-back with his dash and intercept marking

“Sebas challenged us hard early (in the fourth quarter), they had four on the board really quickly, but we were able to hold on, which is great for a young group that hasn’t won for a long time.

“We had a couple of injuries, so I was pretty proud of their plucky, resilience and spirit.

“Mace has never played back before but I liked his traits as a dashing ball-carrier off half-back.

“We were probably a bit short on guys that can use and carry the footy, so I identified a spot at half-back and he played really well.”

Bewley and former Williamstown teammate Nick Rodda were Darley’s big off-season additions.

Bewley was named in the Devils’ best, along with brother Jack in their first game together, while Rodda was held to one goal.

Jordan was pleased with the pair’s performances but revealed both had had “pretty compromised preparations” in the lead up.

“Nick and his wife had a baby boy on Thursday and Brett’s wife is expecting as well, so he was nearly not going to play as well,” Jordan said.

“Brett got tagged pretty heavily, which he’s going to have to deal with, but I thought as the game went on he worked more and more into it.

“It’s pretty hard for him to adjust coming back from the AFL, being an outside player to play on the ball, but he’s been terrific, his leadership has been great.

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“Nick by his own admission felt under-prepared, he hadn’t trained all week, but what he did do is give us a lot of structure.

“He was a bit disappointed with his output but the amount of times he brought the ball to ground, often outnumbered, and crashed packs was really important for us and he’ll have his opportunity during the season.”

Lake Wendoree and Redan play a standalone Good Friday match to complete Round 1 before the full competition resumes on April 23.

Darley hosts Bacchus Marsh at Darley Park, while Sebastopol will look to bounce back at East Point.