With the 2021 season kicking off this weekend, Scoop says there's plenty to like about what is building at Darley Park. New playing coach Dan Roy says the club's finals destiny is in their own hands.
Scoop’s 2021 prediction: 5th - 7th
EXPECT Darley to be the hunters in 2021, not the hunted, despite the loss of star quality over the extended break.
Premiership playing coach Heath Scotland (Sunshine), Brian Graham (Sunshine), Nick Graham (North Footscray) headline eight absentees from 2019, raising reasonable doubt over the club extending on its proud run of finals appearances (every season since 2012, including two flags 2015 and 2017).
Enter new playing coach Dan Roy (Lorne) who will lead the mission.
"I'm rapt with how things are going," he said.
"We've built a lot already on our base fitness levels; some blokes are working the house down.
"Numbers on the track have been 30-plus most nights, which is really pleasing."
While the 33-year-old conceded the loss of Scotland and the Graham brothers will hurt, Roy is confident the hole left can be filled by ready-made Darley players prepared to take the next step.
"If we can improve 10 per cent across the board, there's no reason why we couldn't go deep again," he said.
"Luther Baker (equal 10th Henderson Medal 2019), Leigh Spiteri and Jake Ancrum are more than capable. They've [got] two flags under their belts and should want to be dominating."
Despite a quiet rescue effort in the marketplace throughout a difficult 2020, the Devils best 22 over recent weeks is beginning to take shape. Key defender *Matthew Brett (Werribee), mobile forward *Ryan Kemp (Werribee), inside-mid Stephen Doran (Point Cook) and Mitch Banner (VAFA) join dynamic small forward and Vic Metro representative Ben Said (St Albans) as the new faces at Darley Park. Just how often Brett and Kemp will be seen in Devils colours, however, is another question given their VFL affiliations.
There was more good news on the coaching front at Darley with the signing of popular local figure and former AFL champion Doug Hawkins, who will lead the Under 19's. Dean Chambers (Western Jets, ex-Werribee), will be another added bonus for the club following his Senior Assistant Coach appointment.
Additions aside, coach Roy will be holding the younger players accountable this year, given the club has blooded up to ten under-19 players over the past two seasons under Scotland.
"We're confident some of these boys are ready to impact games," he said.
"They should have the belief in themselves to start taking games on.”
To make finals this year, Darley will rely heavily on maintaining their impeccable record at home over the 2018 and 2019 seasons, with 16 wins and just two losses.
"Our destiny is in our own hands," Roy said.
"If we can improve our consistency on the road as well, it gives us every chance (of playing finals)."
Got it in one.
Trent Angwin (boxing), Bailey Waasdorp, Casey Young (AFL Barwon), Jackson Carrick (South Barwon), Ryan Ellis (Bendigo) are the other notable absentees from 2019.
*Affiliated players: Billy Myers (Williamstown), Nick Rodda (Williamstown), Matthew Brett (Werribee), Ryan Kemp (Werribee).
