Reservoir coach Rohan Davies under no illusions as to making the Mustangs competitive

Coming off back-to-back country premierships, Rohan Davies is under no illusions as to the task of making Reservoir competitive but he’s made a strong start with an ex-AFL listed recruit.

New Reservoir coach Rohan Davies.

Just as it looked like Reservoir couldn’t be in more strife, the club’s Christmas was full of cheer and joy.

After parting ways with coach Justin George in November, the Mustangs secured the services of back-to-back Mulwala premiership coach Rohan Davies.

Three days later, the club announced former Adelaide AFL-listed defender Ayce Taylor – an extraordinary coup for the struggling NFNL Division 3 outfit.

Davies has also brought Jack Craig-Smith (Mooroolbark, EFNL) and Zechariah Cuppins (Mulwala, Murray) on board for 2024.

Entering the new year with plenty of off-field momentum, Davies – a two-time Northern league best-and-fairest and premiership player at Mernda – is ready to get to work building Reservoir on the field.

Rohan Davies won back-to-back premierships at Mulwala. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

“I was under no illusions and neither is the club about the position we’re in,” Davies said.

“We’ve been pretty non-competitive for a while, us and Lalor, so obviously the goal is to change that.

“I come from, hence why the club chased me, a pretty successful background in footy and coming off back-to-back premierships at Mulwala,” Davies said.

“I’m looking to change some habits around how guys train and gamestyle, that will be the main thing early.

“I’m pretty particular with the way I go about training and guys preparing, so it might be a bit different for some people but from my experience it’s been good at producing results.

“The Northern footy league has been good to me over the journey as a player so I’m hoping as a coach I can have a good influence and make Reservoir competitive, which will be good for the league.”

Davies revealed he was planning on having a year off coaching after leaving Mulwala.

However, a phone call from Reservoir peaked his interest and he was quick to put the feelers out for talent to immediately boost the Mustangs.

Ayce Taylor at Adelaide training.

Taylor is a friend outside of football and has jumped on board after signing with Mornington Peninsula club Crib Point last season.

“I back the way I coach and manage the guys it’s no secret you’ve got to bring in some outside quality and it lifts everyone’s standard,” Davies said.

“When I was offered the job, before taking it, I reached out to a few people and didn’t want to take it unless I was confident I could make a difference.

“We’ve got a few guys on board, we’ve got three new guys that I’ve brought in and there’ll be a couple more in the coming weeks.

“Ayce is a good young guy and obviously going to do really well in divvy three footy.

“I’ve been mates with him for a couple of years, since he moved back from Adelaide, and he was more than happy to get on board and help us out.

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“He was focusing on work and other things after spending a couple of years in the AFL system and it was probably the right time for him to get back into it – and he lives locally.”

Cuppins was named second best-on-ground in Mulwala’s grand final victory over Congupna and played for Ovens and Murray powerhouse Yarrawonga in 2021-22.

Davies will get a first look at his new players when Reservoir returns to pre-season training on January 22.

The Mustangs will kick off their 2024 campaign when they host league newcomers Ivanhoe on April 6.