Sport
22 May, 2026
Carisbrook contest with reigning premiers
The Carisbrook Lady Red-backs produced a strong showing against the Ballarat Women’s Football League (BFLW) frontrunners Darley, who maintained its hold on pole position with a 98-point victory.
Carisbrook knew they were immediately thrown into the fire following their round six bye, hosting a Darley team on Sunday who scored 243 unanswered points in their last outing against Lake Wendouree.
Despite that, the Lady Redbacks weren’t intimidated by the reigning premiers, challenging the Devils around the contest and making them fight for every scoring opportunity.
Darley’s class with the football allowed the visitors to enter quarter time with a 27-point lead.
After being held goalless in the first quarter, the Lady Redbacks took full advantage of their entries inside 50 during the second quarter, rewarded with two majors.
The Devils ended a highly competitive first half by expanding their lead. Still, Carisbrook would be pleased to have the margin limited to seven goals.
Keen to showcase their dominance in the second half, Darley overcame Carisbrook’s on-ball pressure to boot six goals in the third term.
A five-goal to one final quarter in Darley’s favour allowed the defending champions to finish on 19.11.(125) to Carisbrook’s 4.3.(27).
Goals from Sherriden Byrne, Emme Johnson, Mahli Stone and Jazmin Wintle-Burton ensured the Lady Redbacks finished with the third-highest score conceded by the Devils this season.
Danika Anderson produced her best performance of the season on Sunday, named as the Lady Redbacks’ best on ground.
Izzy Barby was another standout on debut, joining Anderson in Carisbrook’s top players alongside Johnson, Bridget Epworth, Rhani Evans and Wintle-Burton.
The Lady Redbacks will return from their round eight bye on Sunday, May 31, at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve against East Point.
Carisbrook trailed by just two points at half time of their round two encounter with the Dragons before three unanswered goals in the second half led East Point to a 25-point victory.