By Tara Murray
Darley is keeping its cards close to its chest in the lead-up to the Ballarat Football League season.
The Devils have been one of the quieter teams on the recruiting front and are yet to announce any recruits.
New Devils coach Dan Roy said they were happy with how things were coming along. “It’s been pretty minimal, who we have recruited,” he said.
“We didn’t need too much, recruitment-wise. We’re close to fulfilling what we wanted to achieve.”
The Devils have lost Graham brothers, Brian and Nick, in a big loss for the club.
Roy said they would be big shoes to fill, but he thought they had been able to fill those spots.
He said having Tom Evans and Leigh Spiteri available from the start of the season would be like having two new players in the side.
In a bonus for the Devils, Roy, a premiership player with the club, is set to pull on the boots again.
“I haven’t missed a session,” he said. “I played a few games last year and feel nice and refreshed and the knee is feeling good.”
Roy said there had been good numbers at training, with the side returning two weeks ago after the Christmas break.
He said there was plenty of motivation in the side after a disappointing end to last season, when they were knocked out in the opening week of finals.
“They’ve been really motivated. They have standards at the club and feel that they underachieved last season,” Roy said.
“The boys are keen to make amends.”
Roy, who spent last season at Lorne, said he was enjoying being back at Darley and taking on a senior coaching role for the first time.
“It’s certainly one of my favourite places and I really wanted to come back,” he said.
“I get along with everyone really well. “Coaching doesn’t leave your mind. It was something that I needed to do, to prove that I can do it.
“I’ve had opportunities to step up on other occasions and lacked confidence. This is the perfect place to do it.”
The Devils kick off their season on April 18 against North Ballarat City
