After defying all expectations this year, the challenge for Tullamarine is to continue progressing next season.
The Demons almost had to start from scratch on-field in 2015, having lost 40 players in the off-season, yet they still managed to make the Essendon District Football League’s division 1 preliminary final.
Demons’ coach, Anthony Leydin, said the off-season had been a lot quieter this year.
“It looks like we’ll hold onto most of our players,” he said. “We may lose half a dozen, but we’ll still have a big platform to build on.
“It’s a good start and we’re in a better position than 12 months ago, but that doesn’t guarantee anything.”
Leydin said the club would be looking for players with a bit of height to replace those heading to the exit. Ryan Pretty is returning to Sunbury Kangaroos, Scott McAllister is going back to Darley, Steven Howard is returning to New Zealand, and Zane Williams is looking elsewhere.
“We’ve got time to replace them,” Leydin said.
“There’s a few players likely to come on board but, until clearances go through in February, you never know what will happen.”
While the club again wants to make finals, that’s only part of a bigger plan.
“For us, it’s never been about wins or losses,” the coach said. “We’re looking at addressing a few issues and making it more attractive to get players into the club.
“We’ve started to make inroads. Retention of the players was the first thing.”
Leydin said he was working on grouping and developing the club’s reserves side to close the gap between the two senior teams.
“They are that next layer of depth and we will have a bigger focus on them.”
In another boost, the Demons look set to field an under-14 team next season.
“I understand under-14s will re- emerge,” Leydin said.
“[Having] under-16s and under-18s is another year or two years away.
“It will definitely be good to have an extra junior team.”
The Demons start pre-season training on November 25.
