FOR a club that finished dead last with zero wins last season, the prospects look remarkably bright at Darley.
With some of the 2011 sides facing an exodus of players, the Devils have bucked the trend, with playmakers Luke Guerra and Jake Edwards back in black and white, key forward Brendan Porter returning from a knee injury, and two recruits who will be very familiar to BFL observers: former Melton skipper Saul Grenfell and younger brother Dane.
It makes the disaster at Darley Park that was 2011 appear ancient history, and presents the Devils the very real possibility of leaping from last to top six in the space of a summer.
“I’m loathe to set any long-term goals,” new coach Rod MacPherson says.
“The club hit rock bottom last year, so to make a prediction is fraught with danger. What I can say is this club has a proud history, prides itself on being competitive and we want to get back into that mode.
“From where the club came from last season, the first month critical.
“If you win one game it is a step forward, two gives us reasonable momentum, and any club that wins three of four in the first month is likely to play finals.
“Our first game against Melton South under lights is pivotal, because that’s where it all went wrong last year.”
The newcomers have filled a void in terms of the spirit around Darley Park, which took a battering last season. Luke Guerra and Saul Grenfell, in particular, have taken on leadership roles.
The Devils are also hopeful for a bit more luck on the injury front.
“Coaches don’t like to throw up the excuse of injuries, but they are a reason [things went wrong last year],” MacPherson says.
“The thing you can control is overall fitness and we think we have put a pretty good program in place.”
-Ballarat Courier
DARLEY
Coach: Rod MacPherson
2011: 11th, zero wins, 16 losses
Key Arrivals: Luke Guerra (Echuca), Jake Edwards (Port Melbourne), Saul Grenfell (Melton), Dane Grenfell (Melton South), Nathan Jackyl (Rockbank)
Key Departures: Brent Dryden (Kyneton)
