Tara Murray
Former Fremantle player Brett Bewley has made an instant impact in returning to his home club Darley, named the side’s captain for the Ballarat Football League season.
Bewley will lead a new look leadership group including Luther Baker, who has been named vice-captain, Joel Cadman, who has named deputy vice-captain, and Darren Leonard and Jake Ancrum.
Former captain Shane Page, who had been in the role since 2014, decided the timing was right to step back from the role.
Devils president Mark Shelly said Page and Leonard, who had been vice-captain, decided it was time for new leaders.
“Shane Page and Darren Leonard decided to step aside, which was a commendable decision on their part.
“They decided it was time to step aside and there was a need for some younger guys to step up
“Shane still has a lot of good years ahead of him.”
Bewley, who played 25 games AFL games, has had an instant impact for the Devils providing plenty of leadership.
He has come back to the Devils straight out of the AFL system, with Shelly saying previously that his teammates walk taller around him.
Bewley is one of three key signings for the club. Nick Rodda, who has been aligned with the club while playing in the Victorian Football League at Williamstown, and Matthew Brett, who was also playing VFL, have committed full time.
Brett has also taken on an assistant coaching role under new coach Dan Jordan.
After not winning a game in 2021, the playing group has created the motto, ‘road to redemption’
“The motto is player driven,” Shelly said. “Obviously there is a level of professionalism that Dan Jordan has brought into the group.
“He asked them what we stand for. Road to redemption is a broad spectrum.
“Where we are going, analysing ourselves and looking to improve in all facets of the game.
“We obviously didn’t win a game last season, but there were a number of games we were in for quite a period of time, but a 10 minute window cost us.”
Shelly said he thought the side would be there abouts this season. He said they had retained the core group of players.
He said Jordan was keen on bringing through the next generation of players.
“One of the things with Dan’s approach is certainly giving the younger players a go and there’s no doubt the under-19s will be a priority and he’ll likely look to give them opportunities early in the year.”
The Devils kick off their season on April 9 against Sebastopol on the road.
