Sport
19 May, 2022
Demons struggle at home against Ararat
LISMORE DERRINALLUM experienced its first loss of the season last week, going down to an unbeaten Ararat side 9.8 (62) to 13.12 (90).
LISMORE DERRINALLUM experienced its first loss of the season last week, going down to an unbeaten Ararat side 9.8 (62) to 13.12 (90).
After a stunning run of three impressive wins to open the season, the Demons faced their toughest challenge when they hosted the Eagles.
Lismore Derrinallum lacked spark in the first half, struggling both to make chances and convert them, but managed to go into half-time down by only 20 points with 3.4 (22) to Ararat’s 6.6 (42).
The Eagles virtually closed the door on the match in the third quarter, kicking five goals to one, but the Demons refused to lie down, fighting back in the last to boot five of their own to Ararat’s two.
Will Langley contributed all game out of the middle, winning possession and creating drive for his side.
The midfielder was unlucky not to complete a miraculous goal after gaining the ball on the wing in the last quarter and beating four opponents only to hit the post from inside the 50.
Steven Ryan was another stand-out for the Demons in a back line that saw plenty of action for the day, as was second-gamer Will Beever, who conducted himself with the composure and intensity of a veteran.
Demons coach Alec Wiltshire said that while his side had lacked the spirit and verve they’d brought to their previous three matches, Ararat deserved full credit for maintaining control of the game for the first three quarters.
“We were flat, there were no celebrations after kicking goals, that sort of thing,” Wiltshire said.
“We were up for it in round one against Woorndoo Mortlake, we just didn’t play with the same intensity and ferocity this week."
“But that’s probably also about Ararat being a good football team and not allowing us to play our game."
“And our guys didn’t adjust quickly enough to that.”
Wiltshire said despite his side’s lack of fire, he couldn’t fault the efforts of his players, particularly in the last quarter where they dominated.
“That’s the positive we take out of the game, that last quarter,” he said.
“We went back to some of the things we’d been doing in previous weeks and took the game on."
“It showed on the scoreboard when we got a bit of a spark and tried to win at all costs.”
The Demons take on Great Western this week, and Wiltshire wants to see his players return to the form they showed through their first three games.
“We had a good night on the track Tuesday. I think it was just one of those games,” he said.
“We’re going to keep working on our game and our processes just keep trying to get better."
“I can’t see why it shouldn’t happen for us this week.”
Lismore Derrinallum netballers had a tough week as well, falling to the Eagles 33-36.
The Demons are now 2-2 for the season and sit in sixth spot among a pack of four teams on eight points.
A solid win this week against 11th-placed Great Western should see Lismore Derrinallum sneak into the five, as fifth-ranked Woorndoo Mortlake will forfeit all matches due to widespread COVID-19 cases throughout the club.
