By Jonty Ralphsmith
“Our list is the most balanced I’ve ever been involved with at a footy club” – coach Ryan Hendy
Devon Meadows has moved to 4-0 to start the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League Division 2 season with a 16.14 110 to 7.3 45 win over Karingal.
The Panthers put Karingal away in the third term, with the 55-point win maintaining Devon Meadows’ top spot on the ladder.
The strong early-season form has been built off the back of a well-balanced list, with the energy and intensity of the young brigade complementing the leadership of the seasoned core.
The Panthers have blooded 12 players aged 21-and-under in 2024.
“The reason they’re playing good footy is they’re all really good friends and they feed off each other,” coach Ryan Hendy said
“They’re driving high standards so the relationship is really exciting because it is all good and well to have those kids at the footy club but you have to try and keep them, and the secret to that is them having a bond with one another.”
Their desire to improve has shone through.
Riley Simmons has come on quickly as a formidable ruck across the past 12 months, Alex Canal is regularly hitting the scoreboard, Patrick Sinnema has been uber-consistent and brother, Toby, stood up on senior debut when the match was in the balance against Pearcedale.
Jack Wilson, Ryan Koo and Riley McDonald are all pushing for midfield minutes in a burgeoning on-ball brigade, highlighting their approach to senior footy, while Nathan Drew has established a position in the backline.
Three of those four spoke separately about the leadership of co-captains Nick Battle and Dean Kent, among others, as they look to settle into the senior side.
“Our list is the most balanced I’ve ever been involved with at a footy club and I’ve played 350-plus games of footy and have been around it since I was a kid,” Hendy said.
“The balance with youth, middle-aged and experience is perfect so that’s really comforting as a coach to have and is really good for the future of the footy club.
“It’s the best spot the footy club has ever been in and it sets us in good stead.”
The competitiveness of the under-19s is another component of the club’s health.
It has rebounded from a one-win 2023 to having 33 players pressing for selection in a competitive 3-1 outfit this year.
The health of the under-19s program is set to further enhance the chemistry of the youth.
Currently, eight of the 12 young players come from an assortment of local clubs, with Devon backing their culture to welcome in good families, rather than building from within.
“We don’t want to be that club that has to go out and get players anymore and it’s not sustainable,” president Chris Langley said.
It highlights the significance of a 120 per cent growth in junior teams across the past five years.
As those players transition into senior footy, Langley is confident that Hendy’s old-school philosophies will continue to unlock their best footy.
“I’ve always been a big believer of playing kids when they’re ready,” Hendy said.
“I grew up at a footy club where it was very satisfying to see the kids get a go and you never know if they will make it unless you chuck them in.
“Every one of them who I have given a crack has really relished it.”
