NEW Wycheproof-Narraport coach Mick Delaney was drawn to the club by the Demons' culture.
"The culture of the club is really strong given the players past and present who have played there, and the people who are involved in the club are all really good quality people," Delaney said on Thursday.
"I want to be part of somewhere that is striving for success and goes the right way about it, so that has really drawn me to the club."
Delaney takes over at the Demons following a 2019 season where Wycheproof-Narraport went from playing in three North Central league grand finals in a row and winning back-to-back flags in 2017 and 2018 to slipping to second-last with just two wins.
"It was probably the year the club had to have given it gave some of the younger players exposure to senior footy, which will set us up well going forward and add to the depth of our senior list," Delaney said.
Delaney joins the Demons with plenty of coaching experience behind him.
He was an assistant coach at Strathfieldsaye in the Storm's 2017 and 2019 premiership years; co-coached Inglewood in 2016; coached Orbost and was an assistant coach in a premiership year at Heyfield.
Delaney has taken over the coaching reins at the Demons from Corey Jones, who has indicated he's going to play on for another season in 2020.
"As far as recruiting goes, we've been out on the hunt looking to improve our list and the club has been really positive in wanting to improve our team both on and off the field. I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead," Delaney said.
Wycheproof-Narraport's future had been discussed during this year and potential merger options given the toll being taken by the lack of junior numbers and having now gone five years without an under-16.5 side.
However, the club will continue as is in 2020.
WYCHEPROOF-NARRAPORT 2019 SEASON SNAPSHOT:
Record - 2-14
Percentage - 43.8%
Average for - 46
Average against - 106
Attack rank - 7th
Defence rank - 7th
Quarters won - 10 of 64
Avg. player points - 24.1
Players used - 46
Played every game - 4
Club best top five:
George Turner - 62
James Coatsworth - 36
Joel Turner - 24
Thomas Trewin - 20
Rolly White - 18
Top goalkickers:
James Coatsworth - 19
Corey Jones - 16
George Turner - 15
Ricky Allan - 9
Joel Turner - 7
The drop of the Demons could be best summed up in that they won as many games this season as premierships the previous two years - two.
Lost a major chunk of their 2018 premiership side and as a result it was a season of struggle for the Demons with both their wins coming against Boort, while the lack of junior numbers continues to take its toll on the club.
With the Demons' future a discussion point during the year, the club had considered a merger proposal from Nullawil that was abandoned, with president Josh White telling the Addy in July that whatever the future may hold, "the club won't die".
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