Darley has landed a key forward recruit who coach Heath Scotland believes could be an X-factor as the Devils push to return to the top of the Ballarat Football League this year.
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Scotland has earmarked Kyle Docherty for the pivotal role of centre half forward, saying he will be a player to watch.
Docherty arrived unheralded – deciding to extend his playing career after being persuaded by friend and new Lions recruit Jay Pearson to make the move to Darley Park.
The 30-year-old, who has a full-time job in the AFL as the Melbourne Demons’ community coordinator, arrives after spending the past two seasons in the VAFA – Hampton Rovers in B grade in 2015 and Brunswick Old Boys in division one last year.
Docherty said he had originally planned to hang up the boots after a tough campaign last season, in which Brunswick narrowly avoided relegation.
He said it was not until approached by Pearson with the lure of being part of something potentially special at Darley that he had decided to play on.
Docherty said he was already shaping up much fitter in readiness for the next challenge and a switch from an on-ball role to attack.
Despite his latest VAFA ventures, Docherty does not have a traditional football background – having played in Canada in AFL Ontario’s top division on and off since 2010.
He said was initially recruited with a handful of mates to play with Central Blues for a season, but had liked it so much had returned in 2013 and 2014 after lining up with Mt Eliza in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean league for a few seasons.
He played a one-off game with the Blues in August last year while in Canada to attend a wedding.
Docherty said he was already particularly impressed the quality of midfield players at Darley, led by Scotland.
Darley scraped into the BFL final last season after capturing its first premiership in 2015.
