The Demons are looking to go up another level this season.
There has not been much movement at Surfers Paradise ahead of the 2013 Allied Pickfords Cup season, and senior coach Beau Zorko is pretty happy about it.
After storming home to win their final six games of last season, Zorko said maintaining a similar list to last year had definitely made pre-season easier.
“We’ve had a few departures but on the whole, we’ve been pretty quiet in terms of recruiting,” Zorko said.
“We’re really looking to that good stable off season to help us launch into the 2013 season.”
Zorko said that after 18 months in the job, the side had established a foundation for success and 2013 would be the perfect opportunity to capitalise on that.
“Now is the time for this group to really make full use of the groundwork that we’ve done and really start getting some results for our hard work,” he said.
“We need to play deeper into September. Last year, we made the semi-final.
“A pass mark for us is certainly bettering that result.”
The Demons have seen a massive improvement in many of their younger players this off-season, with a number of them going through the Suns Academy program.
Zorko said the difference in fitness levels was obvious in those players and would definitely boost the Demons’ chances this ear.
“I’m really impressed with the work that our players from the Suns Academy have done,” he said.
“They’ve come back full of energy, fit and their skills have improved.”
As well as their Academy players, Demons fans should expect to see a more composed outfit this season, with young guns Cassidy Haberfield and Harrison Fraser standing out so far.
“I’ve been really impressed in improvement in mid-range players,” Zorko said.
“We’ve certainly matured as a unit and I am rapt with that.”
The Demons also welcome back Dan Green, Trent McIntyre and Guy Tarrant this year, from injuries that ruled them out for much of last season.
They have managed to pick up one interstate player, with Jake Dennis from Knox in Victoria.
With the start of the season approaching, Zorko said he was determined to sustain the momentum they had in the final weeks of 2012.
“Really felt the penny had dropped in the last six weeks of the season.”
“We need to continue that trend.”
Surfers Paradise opens its 2013 Allied Pickfords campaign on April 20 against local rivals Palm Beach Currumbin at Sir Bruce Small Park.
INS:
Jake Dennis
Nick O’Hare
Max Bettie
Adam Hall
Steve Snell
Paul Miles
Lachlan Wornes
OUTS:
Troy Armstrong
Rhys O’Brien
Mitch Ryan
Luke Richards
Daniel McGavin
Matt Kimpton,
