Football
18 April, 2024
Horsham Demons 2024 Season Preview
A look at the Demons 2024 season in both football and netball and a message from President Ash Hopper.
Jordyn Burke is back at the club he coached a premiership to in 2014 and is excited to get back into it.
"I am looking forward to it. I didn't think I would be back this quick or at all, but circumstances led me here and it's been really enjoyable," Burke said.
"The club needed a little bit of direction with a nonplaying coach.
"Tyler Blake developed the team well and it may have been a tough year results-wise, but he was spot on with his development."
Jasper and Harvey Gunn are new to the club with Corey Williams and Hugo Papst.
Matt Long has come to the club from South Bendio and is a wingman/forward and durable four-time premiership player Bronson Durack is also new at the club.
The biggest name, however, is the return of Ryan Kemp. Kemp, as a former Toohey medalist is important to the team.
"Ryan will play midfield/forward and we are looking to kick more goals and he is a good cog for us in that department," Burke said.
"We looked to stock our on-ball brigade with the faces we have coming into the club as well."
Burke said finals football will be good, but they know they need to be competitive consistently first and foremost.
"You always talk about finals footy and we don't shy away from the fact that we are coming from a long way back," Burke said.
"We just need to be competitive every week and if that means finals footy, so be it.
"We aim to be nice and quick and that will evolve over the year. We have some pace and I'd like to think we are fairly fit and we will build on that."
When asked about who is looking good to take the next step, Burke said there are a lot, but highlighted Ben Janetzki.
"Ben has stepped up in the pre-season, including his leadership after being vice-captain last year," Burke said.
"He is fit and I am looking forward to seeing what he can do amongst many others."
The Demons travel to Ararat to open their season.
NETBALLERS STRIVE TO GO ONE BETTER
After winning the premiership in 2022 and narrowly missing their defence last year, the Demons are looking strong in 2024 to reclaim their title under new coach Ebonie Salter.
Salter returned to the club last year as a player and has taken the role of the coach. Senior netball Director Alex Neale said they haven't gone out to 'head hunt' as such, and they got lucky with players coming over due to being partners of football players.
"We have some girls coming over from the HDFNL and they bring height, which is what we needed," Neale said.
"They have added to the depth of the senior group and they are versatile as well and a lot of our team can play at different positions, which is important.
"It allows Ebonie the opportunity to throw the team around when things aren't working out and gives her solid options."
Some of the new faces include Tahlia Thompson from Pimpinio, Britt Burns from Harrow Balmoral and Georgia Lowe from Noradjuha Qauntong.
Of the younger brigade, Neale said Imogen Worthy is set to take the next step this season.
"Under the guidance of the new players, I think Imogen and Tahlia will work together well in goals," Neale said.
"Romi Miller back in defence has been improving and with Ebonie and Britt back there, she will improve this year.
"Keely Pope missed a lot of netball last year with an ankle injury and she is fit and ready to go in her second season in A-Grade."
When asked what they need to improve on to win the premiership this year, Neale highlighted teamwork.
"Playing a team game. It's not only the seven players on the court but the ones on the bench as well," Neale said.
"Ebonie has been strong on one pass at a time, one play at a time and not getting too far ahead of ourselves.
"If things don't go right in our passage of play, not to get caught up in the little things and being able to make adjustments as needed."
FROM THE PRESIDENT
President Ash Hopper is excited ahead of the season with both football and netball.
"Getting Jordy back as coach of the seniors is great for the club and we have a lot of numbers and are looking good on the senior football side of things," Hopper said.
"In the netball, we have Ebonie Salter as a coach and have brought in a few players and the netball is looking positive heading into the season."
Hopper is excited at the fact they get to play netball at home again.
"To get back to the City Oval and play on those new netball courts is exciting," Hopper said.
"The courts look good and the feedback from everyone is positive. The netball courts look brilliant and light up well."
The City Oval has also got an upgrade on lighting which will help for the Anzac Day twilight match and any night games the club may play in the future.
"We are now waiting on the last piece of the puzzle with the change rooms and hoping things can progress there soon," Hopper concluded.