Jackel and Lyons to bolster Darley’s midfield mix, with a Geelong District Football League star also on the BFL club’s radar

DARLEY’S on-ball brigade could be the envy of the rest of the Ballarat Football League in 2015 if it completes an audacious swoop for two midfield generals.

DARLEY’S on-ball brigade could be the envy of the rest of the Ballarat Football League in 2015 if it completes an audacious swoop for two midfield generals.

The Devils have confirmed the signing of Strathmore premiership player Nathan Lyons, while former Geelong District Football League best and fairest Andrew Challis has been training at Darley Park.

While Challis’ signing from East Geelong is yet to be confirmed, Darley coach Jarrod Edwards said the 24-year-old was keen to test himself in the BFL next year.

“That one’s not over the line yet, (but) he’s keen to come, he’s training with us,” Edwards said.

“We’ll just see what happens with that one.

“Nathan Lyons is obviously the other one, that’s a good get for us.

“We’re pretty happy with that.”

Lyons, who played 17 games for the Mores in the Essendon District Football League this year, is well known to those at Darley Park.

“I’ve known Nathan a fair while myself and he played TAC Cup and that sort of stuff with my younger brother Jake,” Edwards said.

“That was the connection there, we’ve tried to get him the last couple of years, but he’s been committed to Strathmore.

“After winning the flag at Strathmore he’s decided it’s time to move on and have a couple of years with his mates.”

Challis and Lyons would add considerable depth to Darley’s midfield, with Nathan Jackel also set to return for a full season after taking part in reality television series The Recruit.

“If we can keep the rest of our guys on the park and also if we add a couple of guys in, it’s only going to strengthen us up,” Edwards said.

He said the club hoped the trio would help them break into the competition’s top echelon of teams next year.

“We’re lucky enough to have retained the whole list, we’ve been pretty lucky that way,” he said.

It has been a quieter off-season on the recruiting front at Clarke Oval, with Sunbury likely to bank on improvement from its youthful list in 2015.

Coach Rick Horwood said the Lions remained in discussions with several players, with key position roles the club’s priority.