With the 2025 season on the horizon, Scoop has caught up with all our senior footy coaches as we build towards an epic Round 1!
It was a tale of so near but so far for the Devils in 2024, but with some of the best talent stocks in the league, Darley are sure to be one of the big contenders this year.
SCOOP: Dan, how do you weigh up the addition of key personnel v compliance when trying to make up the five or six goals you need to challenge the Bloods?
DAN JORDAN: There are a range of areas we're working on to make up the 2-3% we think are needed to play our best footy. Explore versatility (players in different positions), build connection with more time spent on the fundamentals that were momentum killers for us last year. Conditioning and preparation has also been a primary focus to improve our running ability, aid execution, and limit risk of future injury. We had a number of four week plus injuries last year that didn't allow us to play our best footy.
S: You won 11 of 18 games (4th) in your first year at the Devils, 17 of 19 (Premiership) in year two and 12 of 19 (3rd) last year - can we expect a tinker in the game plan or is the current plan still a work in progress?
DJ: The plan is always evolving. We certainly think it's good enough. Depth in role clarity is one example we can share!
S: Just on that, has the more recent Melton dominance lured or tempted you to change things up specifically?
DJ: Not really. Melton's strength is they are very clear on expectation playing a role, similar to us in 2023. (Ironically) the Bloods are an excellent blueprint having won in '22, fell short in '23 and bounced in '24 with a flag. We won in 2023, fell short in '24 and 2025 well......you get my drift. We need to improve in the area of 'clear expectation' down to the 22nd man each week.
S: Dan, of last year’s finalists the Devils had the fewest number (10) of players average 16 disposal or more. Is it fair to suggest you were lacking two or three impact players (hence Nick Hind and Mickey Edwards additions) or do those numbers tell you something else?
DJ: It tells me we have high calibre top end talent and a healthy depth of role players. We're excited for a number of players capable of progressing to the next tier of their footy journey.
S: Tell us about your exciting new recruits Nick Hind and Mickey Edwards and their likely roles....
DJ: Hind - clearly a highly valued versatile acquisition. Nick has already shown great leadership and has fitted into the group seamlessly. As far as pinpointing any specific role, we will play it by ear to best suit our makeup.
Edwards - athletic type, left foot utility who covers the ground well, still in his early 20's - back, forward, wing option. We will be patient with Mickey given he is coming off an ACL injury. We're rapt to have him join the club and think his greatest impact will come in the second half of the season especially. Body preparation is paramount.
S: Mace Cousins, Brady Wright, Joel Cadman and Lucas Impey are your four VFL affiliated players - do you expect to see much of them or do you plan for a season without them?:
DJ: I would anticipate Mace is more unlikely to be with us for the most part. Brady, I would think will get his opportunity at VFL level. Joel is having a terrific preseason (best yet) so we're hopeful he can break into the team at Werribee and chase his footy dream. Lucas, we need to remember is relatively new to the game and remains a work in progress at Williamstown. We fully support the boys and will monitor their progress with keen interest. With reference to planning - availability (to play with us) will be considered a bonus.
S: Is there anything in the way of Adam Azzopardi and Joel Cadman taking their games to new levels of impact from week to week?
DJ: Adam finished fourth in our best and fairest and missed a block of footy with a broken jaw. We saw first-hand Adam's progress in the finals series injury free. He's an important part of our make-up. Joel too is chasing some continuity with his footy free of injury. Not dissimilar to Adam, Joel was instrumental in the final third of the season and pipped only by Brett (Bewley) as best in finals. I think we (and Joel) may have found his spot and are excited for what that holds on the back of an uninterrupted preseason.
S: Any diamonds in the rough at the Devils to get excited about ahead of the new season?
DJ: We have a few guys that have been in the program for 2-3 years now with the 20+ games profile we believe have considerable scope. Mitch Gardiner is one example.
S: If you had to attach a theme or key phrase for the year ahead at the Devils - how would you word that?
DJ: Dare to Darley. Theme is centred around our values and what it means to be a Darley person.
PLAYER INS:
N. Hind (Essendon AFL), M. Edwards (Banyule).
PLAYER OUTS:
M. Ward (Ocean Grove), M. Denham (retired)
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS:
M. Cousins (Werribee), B. Wright (Werribee), J. Cadman (Werribee), L. Impey (Williamstown).
PRACTICE MATCH SCHEDULE:
March 15 - vs South Barwon (H)
March 22 - vs Pascoe Vale (@Overnewton College)
IMPROVERS TIP: (OUTSIDE OF DARLEY)
DJ: Sebastopol
FLAG TIP: (OUTSIDE OF DARLEY)
DJ: Melton
