Brett Bewley discusses his return to Darley and ambitions for season 2022

Brett Bewley has made a seamless return to his junior club and is liking what he’s seen under new Devils coach Dan Jordan ahead of 2022.

Brett Bewley in action for Fremantle. Picture: Michael Klein

It’s like Brett Bewley never left.

The Darley junior and boom recruit has made a seamless return to Grey Street after three seasons and 25 games with Fremantle.

While he is listed in Geelong’s VFL squad as a potential AFL COVID replacement, the 26-year-old will be a full-time player in the Ballarat league and will captain his beloved club.

Bewley’s return will also allow him to achieve a long held ambition.

“I’m loving it, obviously coming back to the junior club,” he said.

Brett Bewley back in Darley colours.

“I’ve played with a lot of the boys who are still there now and there’s still a lot of familiar faces around.

“And now I get to play with my brother, Jack, who I’ve never played with before.

“He’s five years younger than me, so we never got to play junior footy together, so I’m looking forward to running out with him.”

Bewley’s return is a major part of Darley’s rebuild.

The club went winless in 2021 and have brought in widely-respected coach Dan Jordan as well as ex-VFL spearhead Nick Rodda from Williamstown and Essendon VFL midfielder Dylan Landt.

Jordan has coached Essendon’s VFL team and was an assistant under John Worsfold in 2020 following a legendary career in the Ballarat league as player and coach at East Point.

Bewley likes what he sees from the new coach.

“It’s not one of those things you can just push to the side (2021),” Bewley said.

“Darley’s a proud club and no club wants to have a winless season, so it’s definitely something that gets spoken about.

“Some standards needed to be set early on about how we approach the season and there’s no ceiling on what we can achieve.

Brett Bewley in action for Fremantle.

“Dan’s got a new gameplan that he wants to implement, so there’s been a bit of a learning curve.

“He’s a well credentialed coach and his footy resume speaks for itself – especially in the Ballarat league – and he knows how to get the best out of people.

“He’s going to really good for the club and a lot of our younger players who are looking to make the step from junior footy to senior footy.”

Darley played Gippsland league outfit Leongatha in its first practice match of the season on Saturday.

A final hit out against Eastern league club Rowville will wrap up pre-season preparations before a Round 1 clash at Sebastopol on April 9.

Bewley has enjoyed reconnecting with Rodda and expects to run through the midfield for the majority of the season but is happy to play wherever Jordan needs him.

“I hope so, I think that’s the plan but if he needs me somewhere else I’m fully committed to getting the most out of the team,” he said.

“Wherever Dan needs me I’m happy to put my hand up and do the job for him.

“Obviously Nick and I played together before so I know the way he goes about it and the things he likes to do on the field and lead at the ball.

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“It helps having a bit of connection in that sense but nothing can replicate the work that gets done in the two hours on a Saturday.

“We played Leongatha on the weekend, it was a good hit out, and it was good to finally get a game against opposition.

“We learnt a few things about ourselves, what we’re good at, and what we need to improve for the season but the main focus at this time of year is to get a bit of match fitness in the legs.”

The Darley faithful will get to see Bewley at home for the first time in Round 2 when the Devils host Bacchus Marsh.