Tara Murray
Mernda has added some more experience as it aims to close the gap in the Northern Football League division 3.
After finishing sixth last season with a very young list, the Demons were competitive for large chunks of the season without getting the results.
Coach Robert Fletcher said they had achieved what they wanted to in the off season.
“We lost a couple of players, but we picked up seven or eight players, which has been really good,” he said.
“We got some older blokes. We had a very young side and we added some more experience. We targeted four or five players who we ended up getting, which was really good.”
Many of those new faces are familiar to Fletcher from his time in the Essendon District Football League.
Billy Morrison and Shannon Bennett were both premiership players at Craigieburn and Jacana when Fletcher was involved.
Morrison, a club best and fairest winner, won two best on ground medals.
Bennett has most recently been playing with Tullamarine. Michael Evans, who played at Jacana with both players, returns to the Demons after having a season off.
Mathew Siciliano and Joshua Young, who have put in clearances, are others to have played with either or both Jacana or Craigieburn.
The Demons will be boosted by the return of Daniel Smith, who played just one game last year due to a knee injury. Fletcher said he was flying on the track.
Former captain Josh Delaney has put in a clearance and appears to be on the move.
Fletcher said they hoped with a bit more depth it would make a difference on the scoreboard.
“We were in a lot of games, but we couldn’t get across the line,” he said.
“We had a lot of games where we were in front at three quarter time or within a couple of kicks and we didn’t win many of those games.
“We feel like we’re better placed to run out games and get a few more wins on the board.”
Fletcher said finals was the aim again this year, with the side having not played them for a few years.
The club will play three practice matches in the lead up to the start of the season. Fletcher said the third of them will be really special.
The Demons will play Epping in their annual Patrick Chow Cup, which is more special than in previous years.
Elsewhere in the club, Fletcher said things were tracking well.
“Our twos were beaten in the grand final last year and we’ve added a few more players,” he said.
“The 19s are looking pretty good number wise and the women’s side that made the grand final are looking like they’ll go alright.
“We’re on the right track.”
The Demons start their season on April 15 against Old Eltham Collegians.
