Mernda ready to become the hunted as it eyes redemption for grand final heartbreak
31 for 31: Mernda is ready to become the hunted in 2024, strengthening its side with some strong talent, as it aims to erase last year’s heartbreak.
Northern
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The “fire in the belly” has Mernda primed for a redemption premiership tilt.
After suffering grand final heartbreak last year, the Demons are determined to go one better.
The NFNL Division 3 club has retained its entire grand final side and added more experienced talent in Brent Marshall, Travis Keating, Aydin Kesici and Jake Bennett.
Meanwhile, young gun Josh Mazzarella has returned after one season at Thomastown.
After also reaching the preliminary final at reserve and under-19 level, more than 100 players have reportedly been training over summer.
Mernda coach Rob Fletcher said his players would have to find another level in 2024 if they were to make up for last season’s loss.
“The boys have worked hard and have a fire in belly after last year’s disappointment,” Fletcher said.
“I’ve mentioned (the grand final) a couple of times but I don’t have to say anything, they know how much it hurt.
“They came a long way last year, we didn’t win the premiership but the boys came a long way and know what they need to do each week now to perform and play finals again.
“With a bit of depth, it’s a big thing for us with these new blokes coming in, everyone is fighting for their spot plus the fire in the belly we think we’ve got unfinished business.
“We’ve spoken about (being favourites), 100 per cent, we hunted everyone last year – no one rated us, which was fair enough.
“This year we know we’ll be on everyone’s radar, watching how we go and analysing our games to see how we set up, so we’ve got to be better for that reason.”
Mernda possesses arguably the best young talent in NFNL Division 3.
Dayne Kellett and Kai Turner were recognised with Team of the Year selection last season, while the likes of Riley Vincent, Jayden Bell, Matt Bawden, Nathan Baccega and Jesse Guelfo had strong seasons.
After a season-ending knee injury, Gus Mills will return, while Ryan Bongetti will hope to play for than five games this season.
The addition of Team of the Year ruckman Billy Morrison and Shannon Bennett last season was critical and its hoped Marshall, Keating, Kesici and Bennett can have a similar impact.
“I think the experience of Shannon Bennett and Billy Morrison last year and now this year with Nipper, Kesici, Keating and Bennett adds a fair bit on and off field for us,” Fletcher said.
“Nipper is moving really well for a 50-year-old as is Jake Bennett.
“Some of our kids, Riley Vincent is the best full-back in the competition and he’s just getting bigger and stronger.
“Dayne Kellett had his best year of senior football and is ready to take it up another notch, he’s a future captain of our footy club I think.
“We’ve been blooding the kids for the last three years but they’re not kids, they’re young men now, they’ve got 30-35 games under their belt and know what senior footy is about.”
Despite suffering a severe knee injury in the grand final, the Demons hope Morrison can make it back for a finals tilt.
“Billy has started running, so we still think he’s a massive chance to come back and play finals,” Fletcher said.
“That’s another 20 weeks away but we’ll analyse that during the season.
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“He’ll be our runner this year to keep fit ... as long as he sends my message not his own.”
Lachie Taylor, Will Crouch, Nick Eades or even Mazzarella are in line to fill Morrison’s boots in the ruck and attack.
Mernda ramps up preparations with its first practice match on Sunday against Division 2 finalist Watsonia, before hitouts against Essendon District club Oak Park and another Division 2 outfit, Panton Hill.
The Demons will kick off the season with a trip to preliminary finalist Old Eltham Collegians on April 6.
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