Lower Plenty appoint co-captains for 2020, secure Borough ruckman
Two-time premiership player Darcy Barden is back at Lower Plenty after a short-lived retirement and will co-captain the Bears’ return to Division 2 in 2020. Plus, the recruit to help replace Patty Flynn.
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Lower Plenty great Darcy Barden will pull the boots on in 2020 and lead the club as co-captain.
The key forward retired midway through last season due to work commitments but returns for his second stint as a skipper.
Barden previously captained the club for five years before stepping down in 2018 and is a dual premiership player and two-time club champion.
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Laurie Naismith will also take on leadership duties following Patrick Flynn’s switch to NFL Division 1 club Macleod.
Bears coach Ben Turner couldn’t be more excited to have Barden back full-time and for he and Naismith to lead the club in its return to Division 2.
“Having Darcy back full-time, the way he trains, prepares, what he demands from the players, sets a great example for our young players,” Turner said.
“Laurie stood in at the back end of 2019 and did a fantastic job.
“He and Darcy complement each other really well when it comes to leadership.”
Flynn’s departure has left a sizeable hole in Lower Plenty’s big man department.
Tom Blake took over the No.1 ruck mantle last season following Flynn’s season-ending knee injury and Nick Beames has arrived from Greensborough to form a solid one-two punch.
“Nick’s a developing forward-ruckman, only 21, he’s played a bit of senior footy at Greensborough and he’s got some close links to a few players at our club,” Turner said.
“We’re confident Tommy is going to continue to develop and continue to be a terrific ruckman, as he showed in Division 1 last year.
“Nick will provide a solid back-up and if his training is anything to go by he’s a competitive young man.”
Beames played six senior games for the Borough in 2019 and was a member of the club’s reserves grand final team.
Kieran Malone (Old Eltham Collegians), James Elliott (Yarrawonga) and Tom Scott (Macleod) are also on board as Lower Plenty looks to make an immediate return to the top flight.
Turner said Whittlesea had shown it was possible to bounce back quickly.
“We’re playing to play in first division and we’ll be doing everything in our power to put ourselves in that position,” he said.
“Seeing a club like Whittlesea be able to do that on regular occasions means it’s achievable but something we’ll have to work hard to do.”
The Bears host Epping in Round 1 on April 4.
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