Young guns, returning stars set to fuel Mernda’s run to finals in NFNL Division 3

Mernda coach Rob Fletcher believes his club is ready for a strong second half of the season as key players return from injury and young guns impress.

Kai Turner in action for Mernda. Picture: Andy Brownbill

We’re almost at the half-way mark of the season and Mernda is just getting warmed up.

The Demons are sitting fourth on the NFNL Division 3 ladder with a 5-2 record after surviving a massive scare from Kilmore on Saturday.

Last year’s grand finalists now host competition leader Fitzroy Stars at Waterview Reserve in a big test of both club’s premiership credentials before the King’s Birthday weekend bye.

Mernda faces Lalor after the week off before a potentially season-defining stretch against Old Paradians, Epping, Old Eltham Collegians, Kinglake and Fitzroy again.

With the race on for a top-five berth, coach Rob Fletcher is confident his team will only get better in the second half of the campaign.

Dayne Kellett in action for Mernda. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“As the season goes on we’ll get better as a footy team,” Fletcher said.

“By Lalor (in Round 10), we’ll probably have everyone available bar Billy Morrison and I think he’s back in Round 15.

“We’ve shown patches and while you’d like to win every game we know that’s not the case.

“We’re slowly getting players back and now it’s about building momentum and getting continuity with the way we play.

“Any side can win it, there’s some good sides out there, so the first aim is to qualify for finals – we think that’s about 10 wins and 12 or 13 will get you a double chance.”

Co-captain Matthew Golledge returned for the two-point win over Kilmore, while Chris Roussos is in line for a senior call-up this week.

With spots up for grabs, the Demons young talent has stepped up to play key roles.

None more so than 16-year-old Lincoln Coffey.

The youngster has played every games this season, kicked 10 goals and been in the best three times.

Fletcher has been amazed by his development.

Shannon Bennett in action for Mernda. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Lincoln is 16 and only played three years of football, all his juniors he was a basketballer and a very good one at that,” he said.

“We saw a little bit in his last year and gave him a game when he was 15 in the last round.

“He did the entire pre-season … his vertical leap is through the roof and if you watch the last quarter against Kilmore he was one who got us a cross the line.

“He’s down at Parade (College) and in Year 11 so he should be in the B side but is playing in the A side.

“I sat down with him and his mum and said I think he’s got a lot of potential to play senior footy this year and he just gets better and better each week, it’s phenomenal what he’s achieved this year.”

Fletcher also pointed to the impact of the likes of Joel Harris, Christian Evans and Lachie Taylor this season helping the club bank important wins.

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Evans and Taylor were named best afield for the Demons against Kilmore and were recognised with five and four votes respectively in the Coaches MVP.

“Joel Harris has been awesome, he’s 18 or 19, Billy Evans was best-on-ground on the weekend and has been very good all year,” he said.

“Lachie Taylor is another who’s 20 or 21, the young fellas are really standing up and are getting better and better.”

Spearhead Bryce Kimuliatis leads the Demons’ goalkicking with 21 majors – fifth most in the competition – with Matt Bawden (17) and Travis Keating (14) not far behind.