With Round 1 fast approaching, Scoop has caught up with all ten senior footy coaches as they prepare for season 2026!
All eyes will be on the reigning premiers and their flag defence as Dan Jordan's men bring a 20-game unbeaten streak into the new year.
SCOOP: You’ve had a great run with the Devils ahead of your fifth season with two flags. You get a second opportunity to defend a title - will you have to change much to get it done this time around?
DAN JORDAN: There were some lessons learned from our title defence in 2024 and again the way we went about it last year. The personnel is a little different, and the game plan tweaked. You always hope you can evolve organically and develop with time spent so we trust a combination of the two in conjunction with previous learnings will hold us in good stead.
S: Progressive midfielder Adam Azzopardi is likely to spend some time overseas - is there a player putting their hand up for a potential midfield role or is there one (if any) you will target to fill the void?
DJ: Yes, Adam will miss a month of footy thereabouts with his trip in June/July. The club supports Adam’s decision to continue his growth as a person embracing new life lessons. As for earmarking a replacement, I’d like to think we have a number of options - Joel Cadman, Darcey Matricardi, Mitch Gardiner are three names off the top that spring to mind.
S: I noticed some quality opposition locked in for your two practice matches, not dissimilar to last year. Is that a deliberate ploy, a hit out against the best going around from other competitions?
DJ: That’s been my mantra I guess you could say - having hit outs against quality opposition especially when you have a big game in Round 1 like we have (Sunbury) and did last year (Melton). You can also find if a young bloke with little or no senior footy experience is ready to go.
S: No doubting the boy’s competitive juices will be flowing - how do you manage pride (will to win) v practice in these scenarios?
DJ: The older guys are very experienced in this space and will know what is best/how to manage their bodies. Sure, we all want to win every game, that’s one of the reasons we play but we are under no illusions where our weight of priorities lie with round one and the season ahead.
S: You lose key ruckman Lucas Impey (13 games and in best six times last season) to Swan Districts (WA) - is that role/responsibility likely to be shared amongst a handful or have you earmarked the position for one or two in particular?
DJ: To be honest it’s not a priority for us at this stage- we considered having Lucas last year as a luxury. We have a number of options that can share the load which we have seen in the past. We have a diligent midfield that can adjust on the run from oppo to oppo depending on their level of strength in this area. It’s a play it by ear scenario for us in the here and now if it must be said.
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
DJ: Again we had the luxury of Mace Cousins (8 games) down back for us last year and given his pre-season (injury free) at Werribee we don’t think we’re likely to see much of him to be honest. So, under our defensive coach Matty Brett who is doing a wonderful job - we will look to build on our ability to defend while at the other end, work on avenues to goal aside from Will Johnson who kicked 65 for us last year. Super effort.
INS & OUTS
In:
Out: L. Impey (Swan Districts WAFL), D. Fawcett (Melton Centrals), R. Matricardi (Hepburn), L. Spiteri (Melton South)
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS
B. Wright (Werribee), M. Cousins (Werribee), J. Tanner (Western Bulldogs), M. Edwards (Williamstown - train on), M. Gardiner (Geelong - train on).
PRACTICE MATCH SCHEDULE
March 15 v Keilor @Overnewton College
March 28 v Leopold (VTBD)
CLUB IMPROVERS TIP
DJ: North Ballarat
FLAG TIP
DJ: Sunbury
SCOOP SAYS
The reigning premiers are chasing a fifth title in 10 (completed) seasons and a third in five under coach Dan Jordan.
The three big guns Brett Bewley, Nick Hind and Billy Myers will again lead a proven support crew deserved of the unofficial flag favourites tag even this far out.
With any luck on the injury front ‘the hunted’ Devils remain the team to beat in 2026, currently on an impressive 20-0 run.
Projected finish: 1st
