RDFL 2019: Diggers Rest signs brothers Luke and Todd Delahey from Ballarat FL clubs
Brothers Luke and Todd Delahey have signed with reigning premier Diggers Rest as the club builds toward a tilt at back-to-back Riddell District Football League flags.
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Brothers Luke and Todd Delahey have signed with reigning premier Diggers Rest as the club builds toward a tilt at back-to-back Riddell District Football League flags.
Dual Ballarat Football League premiership player Luke has crossed from Darley, while key defender Todd has made the switch from Bacchus Marsh.
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Luke has been on the radar of several VFL clubs, making Geelong’s development squad in 2017 and spending pre-season with Northern Blues last year.
A line-breaking utility who featured in grand final wins in 2015 and 2017, Luke came close to joining Diggers Rest last season before recommitting to Darley.
Burras coach Jamie Lobb was thrilled to land his man at the second time of asking.
“They wanted to play together,” Lobb said.
“The Darley-Bacchus Marsh rivalry meant it couldn’t happen over there.
“We’re pretty happy to get both of those boys on board and give them a chance to play some footy together.”
Lobb said he rated Luke Delahey as a player with “good leg speed” who was “good overhead”.
“He’s going to be fairly flexible for us,” he said.
Lobb said the pair complemented the club’s current list, having been content with the number of experienced players and rising stars already at his disposal.
“They have both got some good footy experience behind them,” he said.
“We’ve got some good older players and some good kids, but they add to that middle age of player we were looking to fill up.
“Guys that are ready-made senior footballers that can come in and hold their own straight away.”
The Burras have lost four players from the side which defeated Riddell by 21 points in last year’s decider, with captain Tom Gleeson (overseas), Mathew Medcraft (Wangaratta), Stephen Ruane and Luke Smailes (retired) moving on.
“We had good depth last year with the number of guys we played through the senior side and the reserves winning the flag as well,” Lobb said.
“We’ve got some good young kids coming through that will get their chance this year.”
The club hopes to announce further additions to its list this week.
Diggers Rest starts its premiership defence on Saturday, April 6, with a home fixture against Rupertswood.
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