The club has confirmed that premiership duo Nathan Lyons and Andrew Challis will not be on the Devils’ list next year.

Star midfielder Lyons, who was judged best on ground in Darley’s premiership win, has decided to head back to former club Strathmore in the Essendon District Football League.

Darley President Grant Wright said it was a disappointing, but understandable loss.

“Nathan just decided, with all the travelling down to Darley, that he wanted to play his last couple of years near home at Strathmore,” Wright said.

“The club can't thank him enough for what he brought to the playing group and the quality of our football in the finals.”

Challis’s future is uncertain, with the talented ball-magnet set to venture overseas next year.

He travelled for six weeks during the 2015 season, but came back to have a significant impact in the latter stages of the year.

Wright said that Challis will not be placed on the club’s list for 2016, but suggested that he may still feature at some stage during the season.

“One good thing about Andrew is that he is really up-front and honest,” he said.

“At the moment he is not committing to anything, but he is always welcome at our football club.”

On a positive note for Darley, Wright also revealed that former AFL player Shane O’Bree could again wear the Devils’ jumper for a select number of games in 2016.

O’Bree was recently appointed head coach of Geelong’s Victorian Football League side, but Wright said the veteran may play some games if the opportunity presents.

The club also expects to announce several key signings in the near future.

Former Port Adelaide midfielder Mitch Banner has been linked to the Devils – however, having attracted AFL interest after a successful season at Williamstown in the VFL, his future is set to be determined when the National and Rookie drafts take place next week.