WYCHEPROOF-NARRAPORT
THE Demons will be playing for keeps this year, as it will be their final season under the Wycheproof-Narraport banner.
Club spokesman Rory White said the side would be aiming to go out with a bang.
The team has a long and proud history since merging in 1964 and with this season being the 60th anniversary of the merger, the club was revved up for a huge season.
The decision to merge with Nullawil ahead of the 2025 season will see them even more determined to go out on top.
Finishing fifth on the ladder last year, the Demons were within reach of finals but cracks in their depth meant they were often run down in the final quarter.
Clever recruitment this year will see those gaps filled, with some experienced players set to don the red and blue.
A new coach in Wayne Mitrovic was the first big move and White said his experience and connection to the club was a strategic decision.
“Wayne’s a past player so he is known to the club and played in the 2010 premiership,” he said.
“He’s been around football for a lot of years and brings very good structure and process to the side.”
Also joining the team are Josh Grabowski, who will provide some leadership in the midfield and Nick Grabowski, who will provide some firepower up forward.
“Josh is a goal-kicking midfielder who comes from Geelong Amateur FC with an impressive resume, including premiership wins and three years on the Bulldogs VFL list,” White said.
“In addition, Morgan Fawcett returns to his old club and Maysen Murgov is expected to have an impact at either end of the ground.
“Both boys should bring structure to the back half.”
In making the decision to merge with Nullawil at the end of this season, White said it was a proactive decision that the club felt good about.
“It’s getting harder to get juniors every year and we wanted to get ahead of the curve,” he said.
“We’ve always had a good relationship with Nullawil so it was an easy, natural fit.”
The club has a wealth of grand final success, having won a premiership, on average, every three years out of the 60 years they’ve played.
On average, they played in every second grand final.
With 20 titles under their belts, the Demons will be firing on all cylinders to ensure they bow out with their 21st in hand. From the coach – Wayne Mitrovic
A big difference for us this year will be our depth.
We were in for three quarters last year but got found out in the final term due to a lack of depth and that has been a focus of our recruitment this year.
The boys have had a really good pre-season and fitness is there and the team is already gelling well.
We’ve added a lot of depth to our midfield with Jack Marlais and Steven Kennedy partnering with Gedd Hommelhoff.
We’ve also got George Turner back from injury and he will add some toughness in the centre as a hard tackler.
We know we are against good competition, with Sea Lake stacked with talent and Nullawil looking good with a new coach.
But we feel we have what it takes to be there at finals time and will be hoping to pinch a top-four spot on the ladder.
Fast Facts
Joined League: 1964
Ground: Wycheproof Recreation Reserve.
Premierships: 19 (1964, 1965, 1967, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2010, 2017, 2018)
President: Ricky Allen
Senior Coach: Wayne Mitrovic
2023 Ladder Position: fifth
2023 Best & Fairest: Gedd Hommelhoff
2023 Leading Goalkicker: Cody Green
KEY PLAYER – Steven Kennedy
Kennedy is a 34-year-old with loads of talent and wisdom to bring to the side.
Coming from the Ballarat League, he is a multiple league medallist and premiership winner.
He took a year off last year but missed his footy so pulled the boots back on the join the Demons in their final season.
Leadership and experience are key qualities, and he is match-fit with legs that will carry him well beyond four quarters.
He is also very productive with the football, creating opportunities at every turn.
Outs – Damien Hawbury, Justin Bateson, Jack McHutchinson.
Ins – Morgan Fawcett, Nicholas Grabowski, Jack Marlais, Steven Kennedy, Joshua Grabowski, Maysen Murgov
