Football
4 April, 2026
HDFNL 2026 preview: Demons have eyes on the prize
Three years ago, Laharum’s senior football side failed to win a game, but now the Demons enter the 2026 season as a genuine premiership contender.
The club acted quickly in the offseason to build on its strong 2025 performance, re-signing last year’s team and adding high-level recruits.
Coach Robbie Miller said the team is hungry for success after feeling like they were on the premiership cusp last season.
“We had an almost year, and now the realisation’s there that we could potentially create something quite special as a group,” he said.
“They’re really driven for success, which makes my job as a coach a lot easier when you’ve got a motivated group like this.”
Among the recruits for 2026 are Will Deayton, Coby Mines from Taylors Lake, Lewis Hofmaier from the Horsham Saints and Mitch McAuliffe from Eaglehawk.
To help address the side’s areas of concern, Miller said forward Jack Fenner from PEGS Football Club and ruckman Pat MacDonough from Dimboola were key acquisitions.
“We quickly identified the key areas that we needed to fill, admitting that we had some extremely young guys that were having to wear big shoes last year,” the coach said.
“Recruiting a key forward and a ruck was a priority of ours, and to get them just fills the group with excitement and anticipation.
“Along with that, we've also gone along and recruited some really young, talented footballers that we're excited about progressing as well.
“It's not just about going out and filling the gaps; it's also about progression within the group.”
Miller said a number of returning players have had stellar preseasons and are prepared to lift the group further this year.
“Reuben Launder is an underrated player within the league but highly regarded within our playing group,” he said.
“Then you also have younger guys like Monty Wynne, who has that flair about his game as a midfielder, as well as Josh Hutchinson, who is a big-bodied young guy with extremely good skills.
“But the entire group this preseason is lifting their intent.”
Asked about the goals for the season, Miller believes the Demons are a title contender.
“We’re aiming for the premiership,” the coach said.
“We've come from the bottom ranks, and I think we've done it the right way.
“Adding these quality recruits and having internal progression within our team, hopefully, puts us in good standing.
“When I came back to coach a couple years ago, a premiership was unachievable, but with where we are now, we have a legitimate chance, and we’re putting our best foot forward to do that.”