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Demons decade of dominance

Jerilderie Football Club continued its great tradition of the last 40 years by playing in many grand finals during the 2010s.The Demons featured in five grand finals, claiming three premierships from 2012-2014, following in the footsteps of the teams in the 1980s (five grand finals, three premierships), 1990s (five grand finals one premiership) and 2000s (four grand finals three premierships.The decade started with Jerilderie just missing out on finals in 2010 finishing sixth on the ladder.The following year saw a grand final loss to Berrigan at Berrigan in 2011, with the Saints getting retribution after losing to Jerilderie in the 2009 decider.Jerilderie were able to rectify things in 2012, winning the decider against the Saints in Jason Sanderson’s fourth and final year as coach.In 2013 the club appointed Josh Bode from the Deni Rovers and under the new coach the team quickly jelled and were a formidable force at the top of the table claiming back to back flags, turning a three point lead at three quarter time to a 42 point win against Strathmerton.For the second year in a row Jerilderie took on Strathmerton in the grand final in 2014 with the Demons dominant from the first minute to the last winning their third flag in three years in a 61 point win.Jerilderie again met Strathmerton in the grand final in 2015. Strathy had their noses in front all day before kicking a late goal to run out victors by 14 points. From 2016 to 2019 the club saw a lot of travelling locals finishing university courses or joining the work force far and wide, seeing the Dees slip down to the bottom half of the ladder.Jerilderie’s team of the decade is filled with locally born and bred footballers with only two of the team not being local, those being Jason Sanderson and Andrew May.The team selected is as follows:B: Shaun Bryce, Luke Bryce, James McRae.HB: Josh Bryce, Adam Williams, Josh Hillary.C: Lachlan Taylor-Nugent, Jason Sanderson (captain), Blair Henery.HF: Jak Payne, Matt Tinkler, James Gregory.F: Chris Marshall, Aaron Purcell, David Gregory.R: Tom Bryce, Nick Keating, Andrew May.Interchange: Brad Parker, Darcy Bell, Chris Lockhart, Brodie A’Vard.Coach: Josh Bode.Player profiles are as follows:

  • Shaun Bryce: Talented, athletic, highly skilled running backman who distributed the ball with depth and precision via a magnificent left foot. Many goals resulted from his use of the ball from the back line.
  • Luke Bryce: Gun junior who has given great service since debuting in 2004. Can play a multitude of positions and ended his career as a close checking fullback. Played in the ruck in 2014.
  • James McRae: Debuted in 2001 as a 16-year-old and has played more than 200 senior games being involved in six grand finals and four premierships. The general of the back line, could play in any position. Excellent mark, courageous competitor and great club man.
  •  Josh Bryce: Junior who spent one and half years with the Murray Bushrangers playing in their 2008 premiership. Spent time at Werribee in VFL and coached and played for Queanbeyan in the Canberra and NEAFL leagues. Can play on ball or down back. Returned to Jerilderie for the 2015 season winning the club best and fairest.
  • Adam Williams: Centre half back, winner of multiple league best and fairests. Played with Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup. Hard resolute, athletic onballer with unwavering attack on the ball. Former O&M rep player. Was dominating in grand final sides while still a school kid. Played in the 2011 grand final.
  • Josh Hillary: Came home in the twilight of his career to play in a premiership and then coach the club in 2017. Was called ‘Nutter’ for a reason, uncompromising attack on the ball. Played many seasons with Albury in the O&M.
  • Lachlan Taylor-Nugent: Extremely gifted athletic tall utility who could play many positions from the centre half back line to half forward. Winner of the BOG in the 2012 grand final playing at centre half back. Has played for North Albury and Albury and been an O&M rep player.
  • Jason Sanderson: Jason was appointed coach of Jerilderie in 2009 and lifted the club from being in the bottom half of the ladder for a number of years to a premiership in his first and fourth years and runners up in another. Ex NSW representative and Murray League medallist, twice runner up in the PDFNL B&F. A great addition to the club.
  • Blair Henery: A young player who won a premiership in 2012 after playing in the thirds premiership on the same day. Played in the 2013, 14 flags also. Could be used as an attacking weapon on the wing or in a shutdown role on a dangerous small forward.
  • Jak Payne: Four-time premiership winner and one of the most natural forwards you would see. A reliable kick for goal and was a multiple goal kicker in all premierships.
  • Matt Tinkler: Athletic centre half forward or centre half back, with height, pace and penetrating left foot kick. An accurate kick for goal with four in the 2012 decider.
  • James Gregory: Small but fast, very creative and accurate when kicking for goal. Dangerous on the ball as a rover or in the forward line. Winner of the BOG in the 2014 grand final as a 16-year-old.
  • Chris Marshall: Rover forward pocket. League B&F winner in 2013 who has five Jerilderie club best and fairest awards to his name. Had two seasons in the O&M where he played at a higher level. Coached in recent years with great intensity. 
  • Aaron Purcell: Ruck, centre half forward or full forward he was as good as any in country football. Has played in 14 senior grand finals starting back in 1995 with 303 senior games and over 1000 goals, nine senior premierships, numerous league best and fairests and booted 223 goals in the 2013 season.
  • David Gregory: Could play all over the ground, a rebounding small back man, dynamic on baller with great vision or a goal kicking forward. Has played at the highest level in Vic Amateurs for a number of years.
  • Tom Bryce: Big and bruising but a huge asset for the club with good skills for a big man. A man mountain who could dominate in the ruck or as a key forward. Kicked four goals in the 2013 grand final.
  • Nick Keating: Rugged fearless onballer who played in his first premiership as a 17 year-old in 2009. Played in the 2013 and 2014 premierships taking out BOG in the 2013 decider. Not only could he get the ball but could use it as well. Has been a regular senior player in the Essendon and District league for some time.
  • Andrew May: Came to Jerilderie with Josh Bode in 2013 and gave three years of the highest quality, winning another league medal in 2014 to add to multiple medals won previously. Great accumulator of possessions and provided excellent delivery to his forwards.
  • Brad Parker: Tall forward/ruck, great mark and kick for goal who has been dogged with knee injuries. Always gave an honest contest and played an integral part in the three-peat.
  • Darcy Bell: Rugged small defender and onballer who possessed great speed and attack on the ball. A member of the 2009, 2012 and 2013 premiership sides.
  • Chris Lockhart: Mercurial but injury prone player who played an integral part in four premierships as a small backman, small forward or on baller. Possessed great skills and never seemed to get caught.
  • Brodie A’Vard: Ruck, centre half forward. After coming through as a junior, was a member of the Murray Bush Rangers 2008 premiership. Then played for the Bendigo Bombers in the VFL. Athletic, skilled and at times dynamic. Returned home to Jerilderie in 2015 finishing runner up in the league B&F.
  • Josh Bode (coach): Arrived at Jerilderie for the 2013 season. Brought a new dynamic to the coach’s box. Coached premierships in 2013 and 2014 and co-coached the 2015 grand final side with Barry Roe.