Devil of a time for Demons

By Nick Creely

With the start of the football season drawing closer and closer, the anticipation continues to rise at certain clubs.

For Springvale Districts, 2017 is all about improvement.

When analysing their recent form-line, it seems like the club is spiralling downwards.

After finishing fourth back in 2013, the Demons have been unable to break into the finals, with wins becoming scarce and the ability to remain competitive a challenge for the club.

But a new season brings new beginnings, with the club making a series of strong off-field and on-field moves to climb back up the Division 2 ladder. Sean Francis has joined the club as the new president, and has already brought forward some new and energetic ideas.

Francis replaces Rob Burns after four years at the helm, and will have Ben Francis (Vice-President) and David Pearve (Secretary) as other off-field leaders around the club.

In terms of their recruiting, they have managed to retain the majority of their senior list while also bringing in a plethora of exciting players.

Among them is Steve Comino, a former Dingley player who had a breakout 2016 season with Lyndale after moving across to the club.

He is a key-position player capable of playing on either end of the ground.

Daniel Morris, 25, is also another big coup for the club.

A 2016 senior premiership midfielder with Dingley, Morris will add hardness and a touch of class to their line-up.

More of the club’s recruits will be featured in the Journal’s 2017 football preview on 3 April.