Haberfield band back as Demons plot revival

THE return of star midfielder Cassidy Haberfield and the continued development of his young side has Surfers Paradise Demons coach Brad Moore confident they can begin to close the gap on competition’s best.

The Haberfield band is back together.

Cassidy, who left to play for VFL side Coburg last season, will join brother and Demons co-captain Brodie as well as assistant coach Jesse for the 2018 season that will begin with a Round 1 game against Labrador Tigers tomorrow.

“Cassidy is fantastic,” Moore said.

“He is professional and he way he goes about his footy and the way he looks after himself is great.

“The family are a massive part of the football club.”

Haberfield played 43 senior games, won two straight best and fairests and was named the QAFL Rising Star in 2016 before moving to Melbourne to play for Coburg in 2017.

He will be joined by Noa Corbett who left to play for SANFL side North Adelaide last season.

Labrador, who have featured in the past four grand finals, and reigning premiers Palm Beach Currumbin, have set the standard in recent years.

Surfers Paradise finished seventh with four wins and a draw last season in Moore’s first year as coach but he believes the addition of some experience to his developing young side will bridge the gap between them and the frontrunners.

“That’s what we are aiming for,” Haberfield.

“Our playing group are really keen to play a high level of footy in regards to getting into finals football.”

Moore’s predecessor Peter Young will be on the opposing side when the two teams play at Sir Bruce Small Park after signing on as Labrador’s operations manager for 2018.