You are here : >Home>The Teams>Deakin Devils Deakin Devils Football Final Four, Finals Flawed… The Devils Division 1 side, undoubtedly the up and coming side over the previous 2 seasons, was granted the privilege of participating in the VWFL season opener, under lights, at Whitten Oval. The wider spaces should have suited the Devils, and trailing by only 3 points at the last break, were favoured to cruise home with the breeze. However it was the more experienced Darebin outfit which weathered the early final quarter pressure, and in turn scored the only goal of the final term to seal the match and win a tight, low scoring tussle by 10 points. Merely a week later, and despite a severe player shortage as a result of mothers day, a 17 player Devils side turned up the heat against Division 1 side, Hadfield. Aided by 8 1st half goals to Nic Lalor, the Devils ran riot to finish the match 150 point victors, and set themselves up for their 1st home fixture of the season against reigning Premiers, Melbourne University. It looked a match of real quality to any observer throughout the first stanza. The Devils dominated the visitors for the better part, yet failed to capitalise on the scoreboard, and by the first change, it was practically level pegging. From then on however, the reigning champions raised the bar, and the home side was found somewhat wanting, and when the final siren sounded, had surrendered by 8 goals. A 39 point away win at Parkdale, celebrated for Sarah Lyons 50th club match, and Meg Hutchins 5, 1st quarter goals in only her 2nd match was followed by a gutsy, come from behind 10 point win at home against newly promoted East Geelong, in very heavy conditions. With the BYE to follow, the Devils regrouped before their mid season tussle away to St Albans. Having never savoured victory against one of the league’s toughest sides, the Devils stunned the home side early, dominating great periods of the contest. Indeed, it hung in the balance right to the wire before the home side scored the last goal of the match and clung to an 11 point victory. It was a much wiser Devils outfit that hosted Darebin for their Rd 1 rematch, and it was an entirely one sided contest. So impressive were the Devils, that the visitors were held goalless until they managed to score 3 quick consolations early in the final quarter. The Devils impressive in a 47 point win. Seven rounds later, and as was the case early in the season, the Devils struggled for numbers against the Division 1 cellar dwellers Hadfield. However, history was to repeat itself and the 16 players who took the field played remarkable football, to notch up another memorable win, kicking 22 goals in a 113 point victory. Round 10 saw the reigning Premiers play hosts to us on this occasion, and they proved in no way welcoming once on the field. Playing for the 1st time for the prize of the ‘Inter-varsity Cup’ (a reflection of the 2 clubs University heritage) the Devils were kept goalless in a sorry 1st half. By 3 quarter time, the interchange area resembled a hospital ward and the final 107 point margin was the clubs worst loss in 1st Division since the 2000 season. However bounce back the Devils did, a 7 goal win at home to Parkdale just the tonic, with the road trip to East Geelong the following week. On an immaculate ground, but with a torrid cross breeze, the Devils set about stamping their authority from the outset. The wind was so strong that goals were at a premium, and it was a most satisfying 43 point win against dogged opposition, cementing the Devils place in the finals. Another weeks rest for the Devils, then the final round of the season, at home to St Albans. Again the hoodoo remained unbroken, and having regained the respect of our opposition they proceeded to show how much they’d learnt from our last tussle, to cruise to a 6 goal win. Nevertheless, the Devils were still alive in 2003, with an elimination semi final vs Darebin out at Merv Hughes Oval the following week. The weather turned, and by Sunday, the ground resembled a lake with much surface water, and continual rain. Yet the football was never going to wait for the sun to shine, and after winning the toss, the Devils chose to utilise a strong breeze in the 1st quarter. They peppered the goals for little return, before late in the term snaring a brace to gain a handy buffer. It was always going to be tough working against the wind, but the girls doubled their efforts, incredibly keeping their opposition goalless for the half. Again with the breeze, the Devils scored 2 more with the wind, taking a 30 point lead into the final term. Darebin managed to close the margin with their first major, but when Linda Bjork was left unchecked and ran into an open goal to score the sealer, the Devils were home and had won their 1st ever final! On to there 1st preliminary final, and only 1 win away from the ultimate, a Grand Final. However it was to be St Albans who once again brought the Devils back down to earth. Once again on the wide open spaces of Whitten Oval, the Spurs skill and experience proved yet again the undoing of the Devils, finally succumbing by 7 goals. A solid season, and one that hopefully will lead to bigger and better things for the experience.