Deal with the Devils: Former AFL player returning to Darley

A former AFL player is returning to Darley in the Ballarat Football League this year.

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This will be his second stint with the Devils.

Mitch Banner, who lives in Darley, spent 2016 with the Devils before switching to Melton South in 2017.

The 30-year-old takes plenty of experience to Darley Park, having played 19 games with Port Adelaide from 2009 to 2012.

Darley coach Dan Roy said securing Banner was a bonus. "He's keen. He hasn't missed a session."

Roy sees Banner as a goalkicking half forward and perfect to complement existing experience and an impressive group of emerging young talent.

He moves to Darley after two seasons with Old Melburnians in the VAFA premier division.

Banner has been a football journeyman since his AFL playing days, playing in Perth and in a Williamstown VFL premiership side in 2015 before his first stint with the Devils.

He initially left Darley at the end of 2016 with the intention of going back to Williamstown, but was convinced to join Melton South, where he played juniors, under the coaching partnership of Brendan Fevola and Sean Triplett.

MEANWHILE, Darley is the new home club for two Werribee players in the VFL - Matthew Brett and Ryan Kemp.

Roy said while uncertain how many appearances they might make for the Devils, it was pleasing to get to players of their quality to commit to the club.

Brett, 26, played his early senior football with Shepparton United in the Goulburn before switching to cross-town rival Shepparton Bears.

A medium-sized defender, he had his break-out season with Werribee in 2018 with 16 matches.

Kemp, 23, who is originally from Horsham, debuted for the Tigers in 2019 and played 13 games as a small forward. He was aligned with St Kevin's in the VAFA.

DARLEY has scheduled three practice matches, with all planned for Darley Park: