Tara Murray
Darley is keen to build on last season’s upwards movement in the Ballarat Football League.
After not winning a game in 2021, the Devils last season finished fourth and made a semi final under then new coach Dan Jordan.
With Jordan back on board and most of the list staying together, the Devils are keen to continue their road to redemption.
Devils president Mark Shelly said things were looking good ahead of their season kicking off this Saturday.
“We’ve got some good numbers across the board,” he said. “They are looking good, but the one area of concern is the under-19s.
“The seniors have increased and there are going to be some disappointed lads come round one.
“We are starting with some really good depth. I got to watch some of a senior game [practice match] and there were certainly some promising signs.”
The core group from last season has returned to the Devils.
Dylan Landt and Nick Rodda are the two big outs for the Devils.
“Dylan was a VFL-listed player and will be suitably replaced with Billy Myers who has come back to the club,” Shelly said.
“He’s had a successful history at Williamstown and is a Darley junior which is a bonus.
“Nick Rodda has moved to Warrnambool and will be playing up there.
“We’ll be juggling the forward half to counteract that, but we’re comfortable with how we look.”
The other new additions for the Devils are Matt Denham, Billy Sullivan and Riley and Darcy Matricardi.
Shelly said they were also expecting a number of their younger players to keep making the next step.
“It’s positive with the younger players that they got some valuable experience last year,” he said.
“They got a taste of senior football.
“We’re very fortunate this year to have Dan still leading the club, but Matthew Cape as an assistant coach.
“He’s been a long time assistant coach in the VFL ranks and is a legend of our club. He is also coaching the under-17 team.
“It’s a good pathway for the young guys to come through into senior football in the next 12 to 18 months.”
Shelly said the group’s motto this year continues to be road to redemption. That will start against Ballarat this Saturday.
“We’re not going to rest on our laurels,” he said. “We’re still striving to improve things and our depth is as good as ever.
“It’s really nice that people want to come and play for the club. There’s going to be six or eight start off in the reserves that are clearly senior footballers.
“Things are looking really good.”
Shelly said things were again looking good on the netball courts, backing up from two teams making grand finals last season. The women’s football have been able to recruit a couple of key of players.
In other round one matches, Melton will host Melton South in the local derby, while Bacchus Marsh is on the road against Sebastopol.
