Former Essendon footballer Kepler Bradley played 49 games in a Bombers’ jersey, but this year he will be donning the red sash for the Waroona Demons instead.
Bradley totaled 117 games in his AFL career with Essendon and Fremantle, booting 87 goals.
Now the 31-year-old will form part of what is shaping as a strong Waroona side.
Coach Dean Taylor, who returns to the Demons having previously coached the side in 2013, 2014 and 2015, said Bradley would provide a focal point for the team.
“We’re hoping Kepler can be a bit of a force in the forward line for us this season and give us a point of attack,” he said.
“Hopefully he can clunk a few and give the guys around him an edge.”
A season after falling just five points short of Baldivis in the grand final, the Demons will welcome back a number of the club’s past premiership players as they push for a flag in 2017.
Chad Peters, Andrew Leroy, Liam Thomas and Alan Wilson will all return to Parnell Street Oval, mixing with Waroona’s young talent.
“It’s good to see plenty of the boys coming back to the team. Guys like these will give us some real help around the ground,” Taylor said.
“We’ve also had some young kids impress throughout the pre-season. Cam White and Rowan Gardiner have been good and Chad Wrigley played a fair bit of league for us last season.”
Wrigley was especially impressive in last year’s grand final. His three goals and impressive play around the packs made a strong case for best on ground honours, despite his team losing the match.
With the Demons looking to put 2016 in the rear view, Taylor is eyeing a top-three finish for his side this coming season.
“We’ll aim to be in the top three,” he said.
“I think with the group of guys we have and the quality of our reserves having won the flag last year we have a pretty good shot at another deep run.”
Waroona’s start to the season is arguably the most challenging of any team.
They face a hungry Pinjarra side in round one, followed by bouts against reigning premiers Baldivis and an improved Centrals outfit.
Their opener against Pinjarra will be played at Parnell Street Oval on April 1.