Waroona Demons looking for better performance in 2023 season after wooden spoon last year

Making finals. It is the main goal of the Waroona Demons as they prepare for the upcoming men’s football season.

Their South West counterparts might have already started their 2023 campaigns, but clubs in the Peel Football and Netball League will not put boots on the ground until after the Easter long weekend.

There are some differences at the Demons this year: a new club president, two league co-captains and new players.

They finished with the wooden spoon last year but club president Rhys Bloxsidge is hoping to push for a finals spot in 2023.

“I know there were only two wins on the board last year and some people might say that’s unrealistic, but Waroona’s had a strong history of playing finals football and our expectation this year doesn’t waver from that,” he said.

“We’re hoping for a significant improvement from last year. Whether or not that happens, it is up to the players.”

There has been a shake-up of the league leadership team for the coming season, with Courtney Lakay to be joined in the captaincy role by Chris Wrigley.

Mr Bloxsidge said Wrigley would bring a different mindset to the role, with both co-captains having qualities which worked well together.

“Both boys lead from the front and are really strong on the training track in terms of driving our playing group, so they should bounce off each other pretty well,” he said.

Waroona’s league team will have new players, including some who will be coming from other leagues across the State.

The club is hoping to bring it to traditional rivals and 2022 premiers Pinjarra, with the push likely to be helped by a longer-than-usual pre-season.

In the Colts, where the Demons also performed poorly last season, they will get a boost with players from the South West Football League competing alongside local talent.

Expectations are higher for the Reserves, who finished third in 2022 and progressed all the way to the preliminary final.

“As a minimum, finals footy would be expected because most of those boys should be back playing and ready to go in round 1,” Mr Bloxsidge said.

Mr Bloxsidge has been president for about five months and this season will be his first in that position.

While he will have the pressure of balancing his playing and non-playing duties, he is looking forward to seeing things improve on and off field.

“I think we have got a very strong off-field team to guide us and I am looking forward to seeing everybody enjoy their footy,” Mr Bloxsidge said.

The Demons will start their season on April 15 with matches at home against the Rockingham Rams.