In 2017, Darley defeated Bacchus Marsh convincingly in both the first and seconds Grand Finals.
In 2023, Darley defeated North Ballarat in the Grand Final, with a last minute goal kicked by Billy Myers to steal the game by a point.
History
Darley Football Club was formed in 1919 when it was known as the Magpies. In 1928, Darley applied for admission into the Geelong & District Football Association, but were unsuccessful, after the Bacchus Marsh Football Association folded in early 1928.[1] Darley only had a junior team in 1928 and were runners up.[2] Darley rejoined the Bacchus Marsh Football Association in 1929, but then withdrew from the newly formed Bacchus Marsh & Melton Football Association in 1930.[3]
Darley then played in the Melton and Bacchus Marsh District Football League where the club was successful winning nine premierships between 1934 and 1957.
Darley commenced wearing black and white colours in 1947, when they purchased new jumpers and initially wore a black jumper with a white Vee.[4]
The club then progressed into the newly formed Bacchus Marsh Football League, and was successful with premierships in 1959 and a golden era of four consecutive premierships from 1969–1972.
Upon entering the Riddell League, Darley was forced to change its club emblem from the Magpies as another club in the league (Wallan Football Club) was already known by the same name. Consequently, the club voted to change its emblem to that of a Tasmanian devil which remains to this day. During the time spent in the Riddell League, the club participated in finals football in every year except 1996, and then only missing out by percentage. Success was again attained with premierships in both 1989 and 1995, with Mick Hewat successful in winning the Bowen Medal as the league best and fairest in 1988, and Lex Miller winning the same award in 1989.
With the depth of football standard in the RDFL on the decline, together with considerable opposition from former second division clubs on the formation of one division, the club voted to make the move to the highly rated Ballarat Football League with Sunbury, Melton and Melton South clubs for the commencement of the 1997 playing season.
The annual general meeting held on 24 November 2009 was an historic occasion. A motion was passed that the club name be changed to the Darley Football Netball Club Inc.
Several senior list players have also had experience at AFL reserves and VFA/VFL senior level.
The following footballers played with or were drafted from Darley FC prior to playing senior VFL / AFL football, with the year indicating their VFL / AFL debut.
