DALE’S DELIGHT PLAYING FOR DEES

WITH the sun almost set on his first TSL season, North Hobart’s Lachie Dale has nothing but praise for the Demons, despite the on-field results not going their way.

Recruited to the Demons alongside fellow Myrtleford product Luke Quirk – thanks to a connection with Demons recruitment officer Will Perry – the former Doug Strang medallist has been a shining light in his first season in the red and blue.

The 24-year-old has averaged 24 disposals, 2.7 goals and 8.7 marks a game and is fresh off a 23-disposal, four-goal performance in the Demons’ win against Glenorchy last weekend.

“The transition has been seamless. The hard work from the people at the footy club has been fantastic and they’ve really looked after me and my partner,” Dale said.

With the Demons sitting second-last with just three wins, Dale knew this season would be about more than the win-loss column.

“I knew when I signed that the club had been starved of success for some time but results aside, it’s been a great year and the atmosphere has been exceptional under Clinton French,” Dale said.

“I think the group has really jelled the longer the season has gone on and personally I’m happy with how my footy has transitioned from a really highlevel country league in the Ovens and Murray to the TSL.”

Dale credited the training standards of the competition as the biggest difference between the leagues and believes the only way to attract interstate players to Tasmania is the continuation of the competition.

“The program set out by the club is of a really high and professional standard and it really puts a big emphasis on player development, so I think the only way to attract interstate players to play their footy in Tasmania is to continue to have a really strong and professional state league competition,” he said.