Former East Point and Darley coach Dan Jordan reveals the best teams he’s played with or coached
Dan Jordan had a distinguished playing career across state league, metro and country footy before becoming a coach. He reveals the best team he’s played with or coached during his career. See the team.
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Dan Jordan’s best team is chock full of the best Ballarat league players from the past two decades, sprinkled with a few AFL stars in between.
But it wasn’t easy for the premiership winning coach and Ballarat league hall of famer to pick his best 21 he’s played or coached with.
Jordan was named earlier this season by the Weekly Times as one of the best 22 players in country footy this millennium.
The current Darley coach had a distinguished career, firstly for St Bernard’s in the VAFA before playing VFL and WAFL football.
Jordan was part of the 2002 St Bernard’s premiership team and won a club best-and-fairest in 2004.
After playing state league he then dominated in Ballarat for East Point, kicking 774 goals in 126 games.
He won five Lockett medals, the Henderson medal and was in the Ballarat league team of the year six times.
It was no surprise in 2018 when he was put into the Ballarat hall of fame for his achievements.
His career continued in coaching with Jordan first coaching East Point before moving to Essendon and becoming VFL coach in 2018 and 2019.
In 2022, he moved back to the Ballarat league and Darley, guiding the club from the bottom of the league to the 2023 senior premiership.
He’s currently there and looking to add another premiership to his tally this year.
Jordan’s team consists of players who were key to his career as coach and player at East Point, St Bernard’s, Darley and Essendon’s VFL team.
His team had one rule: “I only put players who I have played with or coached at club level”.
Backs
Adam Jennings (East Point 2007-12)
Indigenous hard back pocket player who never lost a contest and also gathered a lot of possessions. Best-and-fairest in a grand final year for East Point in 2009.
Matt Brett (Darley 2022-current)
Tough and hard key back who is ruthless in the contest and courageous in standing in the hole and intercept marking. A demanding and strong leader who makes those around him play better. Best and fairest at Darley in 2021.
Damien McLaughlin (St Bernards 2002-04)
Brilliant backman who took on the leading forwards in the VAFA in the early 2000s and was rarely beaten. Strong and uncompromising and brilliant in 1v1 contests. Later captained the club and a best and fairest winner
Half Backs
Nick Hind (East Point 2013, Essendon VFL 2017-19, Darley 2025)
Brilliant reader of the play who can turn defence into attack in a number of seconds. Went on to play 97 AFL games in a number of positions but his speed off half back was/is game changing.
Billy Myers (Darley 2023-)
Rock solid competitive defender who had a decorated VFL career at Williamstown before returning to Darley. Great reader of the ball who can play a number of positions but his elite skills sees him most damaging at half back.
Shane Page (Darley 2022-23)
Competition legend who was just no fuss and always got the job done. An eight time BFNL team of the year player who captained two premierships at Darley. Played a number of roles but his 2023 premiership year a highlight.
Centres
Chris Banwell (East Point 2006-13)
Lightning fast wingman who was deceptively great in the air for his size. Unstoppable on a wing in full flight. Unfortunately never saw the best of him after serious hip surgery in 2009. Was The Courier player of the year in 2008.
Aaron Heppell (Essendon VFL 2016-19)
Brilliant centreman who was smart, tough and never wasted the footy. A great leader and underrated in the air. Won three VFL best-and-fairest for Essendon from 2017-20. Stiff not to play higher levels.
Danny Byrne (St Bernards 2002-04, Geelong VFL 2003-04)
Dynamic midfielder who could play inside and outside and could tear teams apart on his day with his speed and skill. His 2002 grand final for St Bernards (35 disposals and five goals) is still much talked about to this day.
Half Forwards
Heath Hocking (Essendon VFL 2018-19)
Ultimate team man who would play any position for his team. Tough, hard and smart and put his body on the line to bring other players into the game. Played Essendon VFL team after 126 AFL games with Essendon.
Simon Clarke (St Bernards 2002-04)
Freakish talent who could play anywhere on the ground. One of the best athletes I played with and could take towering marks and cover the ground. His 1st half in the grand final (6 goals) for Sunbury in 2012 was amazing.
Dylan Landt (Essendon VFL 2019, Darley 2022)
Speed to burn. Electric half forward/midfielder who knew where the goals were and impossible to stop on his day. Loved running with the ball and kicking big goals. Now the NTFL’s best player (two-time league medal winner).
Forwards
Tim Harvey (St Bernards 2002-04)
Clean lead up forward who never wasted an opportunity, could kick them from anywhere and had vice-like hands. Won the VAFA goalkicking in 2003 with 80+ goals and kicked a century in EDFL later in his career.
Josh Kennedy (East Fremantle 2005)
Went on to have a storeyed AFL career with Carlton/West Coast to kick 723 AFL goals. As an 18-year-old playing WAFL football his craft and athleticism even then was a stand out.
Danny Younan (Essendon VFL 2017-19)
The ultimate forward pocket. High pressure, quick, mercurial and selfless. Would do anything for his teammates and produce a match saving tackle or winning goal when needed. VFL team of year twice.
Rucks:
Paul Koderenko (East Point 2006-13)
Lion-hearted big man who would make his players walk taller. Not adept at skill but his contests and presence around the ground were maximal. Ended up an East Point legend playing 200+ games and winning three best and fairest awards.
Brett Bewley (Darley 2022-)
Strong, powerful and elite running midfielder who is unstoppable on his day. Works so hard on his game and the ability to slice teams apart with his footskills. Henderson Medallist 2022-23. Played 25 games for Fremantle
Ben Jordan (St Bernard’s 2002-04, East Point 2006-07)
Running machine who just loved getting the footy. Tough and courageous who won the Henderson Medal in 2005 and won five or six club best and fairest awards throughout his career. Ben is also Dan’s brother.
Interchange
Luther Baker (Darley 2022-)
Tough, uncompromising midfielder who is selfless in the way he plays the game to make those around him better. Always team first but a great ball winner in his own right.
Shane Hutchinson (East Point 2006-07)
Highly skilled midfielder/half back who was prolific in gathering the ball and even more damaging when using it. Later went to Ballarat as a coach and won a Henderson Medal in 2014.
Luke O’Sullivan (St Bernards 2002-04)
Athletic tall who could tear a game apart on his day. High leaping and created his own highlight reel every year with big grabs and goals. Also an adept back up ruckman who was mobile and clean at ground level.
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