Sport
7 August, 2026
Lady Redbacks complete 2026 season
The Carisbrook Lady Redbacks ended an encouraging 2026 season on a slightly damp note, losing to premiership hopefuls Darley by 181 points.
Entering the final day of the home and away season level on points with ladder leaders Bacchus Marsh, the Devils went all out against the Lady Redbacks to eliminate their sizeable percentage deficit to the Cobras and snatch a valuable bye for the first week of finals.
Arna Tatchell, Tamika Loone-Grundy and Charlotte Metters were major outs for Carisbrook, who looked to harness the momentum from their hard-fought 19-point victory over Lake Wendouree into Sunday’s clash at Darley Park.
With the Devils quickly asserting their control around the contest, the Lady Redbacks backline was immediately tested as the hosts constantly worked the football into the forward 50.
Veterans Danae Every and Olivia Butler fought valiantly to stem the tide, but Darley quickly accelerated to a 49-point lead by quarter time.
Despite Izzy Barby, Emme Johnson and Sherriden Byrne gaining forward ground with regularity, Carisbrook’s deficit increased to 99 points at half time thanks to the clinical Devils forward line booting 8.2 in the second quarter.
Darley showed no remorse for the Lady Redbacks after half time, tacking on eight extra goals in the third quarter to enter the final break up by 151 points.
Knowing they were playing their last quarter of 2026, the Lady Redbacks left it all on the field, with their relentless pressure on the ball limiting the Devils to six scoring shots in the fourth quarter.
It was a competitive end to a mostly one-sided Darley victory, finishing on 28.14 (182) to Carisbrook’s 0.1 (1) after Emmerson Hitch and Kim Bessell kicked a combined 15 goals.
The convincing win wasn’t enough for the Devils to steal the minor premiership from the Cobras’ clutches at the death, meaning they will host Redan in the first qualifying final this Sunday.
Despite playing in just her second game for the Lady Redbacks, Ruby Saunder produced an outstanding performance, named among Caris-brook’s best players alongside Every, Barby, Butler, Johnson and Byrne.