DALBY DIEHARDS
LAST YEAR
12-4, semi finalists
INS AND OUTS
IN: Tom Boland (returning after injury), Blake Mara (Caboolture – Sunshine Coast)
OUT: Jason Wardrop (retirement) Zac Morris (work commitments)
LIKELY TEAM
1. Corey Blades 2. Alex Ambia 3. Jamie Sperling 4. Steve Franciscus 5. Mike Gaur 6. Mitchell Taylor 7. Dylan Taylor 8. Xavier Manley 9. Danny Wassell 10. Chris Wilkes 11. Tom Boland 12. Dan Manley 13. Blake Mara 14.Cody Milne 15. Conor Brady 16. Eddy Kelly 17. Michael Sheahan
THE YEAR AHEAD
The 2017 premiers head into 2019 with a largely unchanged roster, helping the Diehards maintain a number of key combinations.
Despite going out in straight sets in last year’s finals, coach Derek Brady is keen to overcome that setback.
“We didn’t perform too bad last year. We only dropped four games, but what hurt us was the depth in players coming through,” Brady said.
“The only disappointing performance was our last game (against Highfields).
“We’ve focused on more game-related training since back in December. They guys have taken to that and are looking forward to putting it into operation.”
Blake Mara has the task of filling the boots of Jason Wardrop, and Brady backed the rising forward to take the mantle.
“He’s come through the Melbourne Storm U20s and has played a lot of senior football on the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“We’re expecting big things from him. He will bring a different dynamic and we’ll be looking to utilise that.”
PLAYER TO WATCH
Tom Boland. “The TRL hasn’t seen the best of him yet and with a full season under his belt, he could leave a big impression on the league,” Brady said.
VERDICT
It was tough to get a grasp of Dalby’s season in 2018. At times they looked destined to go back-to-back, while at times they just couldn’t get it together. Sadly for them they saved their worst game of the season for the end, something they have had the off-season to reflect on. They have recruited well to offset the big loss of Jason Wardrop, and they should be thereabouts again.
THIRD