General News
29 September, 2022
Wiltshire re-appointed
ALEC Wiltshire has been re-appointed senior coach of the Demons for season 2023.
ALEC Wiltshire has been re-appointed senior coach of the Demons for season 2023.
Citing “unfinished business,” Wiltshire is keen to see Lismore Derrinallum once again go deep into the finals series next year and believes they have the ability to bring home a flag.
Next season will be his fourth at the helm, and his second alongside assistant coach Liam Rigby.
“We have the cattle we just need to add a couple of final pieces,” Wiltshire said.
“Fortunately we will retain our existing playing group next year; the fire is burning strong and they’re all up and about and keen to make the grand final.”
Having finished third on the Mininera League ladder this year, and then losing to Woorndoo Mortlake by 51 points in the semi-final, Wiltshire is hoping to add even more depth for 2023.
While it’s anticipated the Demons will lose Beau Ketchen for the year – after suffering a season-ending ACL injury in the elimination final – Wiltshire will look to add three or four players to the group.
“Beau is a talented midfielder so he will certainly leave a hole and be missed; his work rate is terrific and we will be looking to fill that spot either from our existing group or new players we may pick up
in the coming weeks and months.”
Adding a few new faces to the line-up would, Wiltshire believes, add further depth to the team and create “healthy competition at training”.
“Bolstering our numbers with additional quality players can only be good for the club overall,” Wiltshire said.
“It not only means the seniors have to work extra hard to earn and retain their spots on the team, it filters down to our reserves as well.
“They (the reserves) finished second after the home and away season but also got knocked out in the semi-finals, which was disappointing. They’ll also be keen to go further next year.”
Wiltshire was also hopeful that by bolstering numbers across the two football sides, player numbers at training would increase.
“We do get pretty good numbers at training but sometimes the two’s are a little light on; it would be good to be in a position where everyone – both the seniors and the reserves – really have to fight
hard for their spot.”
While the players are currently enjoying some time away from the field, Wiltshire was keen to see them back on the track towards the end of November.
“We’ll get together before Christmas and see where everyone is at,” he said.
“Hopefully, after recharging the batteries, we’ll get them all back thinking about footy again; with the aim to start a full pre-season after the Australia Day weekend.”