New Demons provide spark ahead of 2015 seasonTuesday, March 3, 2015 - 12:08 PM - by Chris Pike

IT IS a distinctly new-look Perth coming into the 2015 McDonald's WAFL Premiership season with a new coach, football manager, captain and a bevy of player changes as the Demons attempt to rise up the ladder.

The Demons started their 2014 season strongly beating Claremont and South Fremantle to start with, but they recorded just the one more victory the entire campaign including a horror 14-match losing streak to finish off with as they ended with the wooden spoon.

The season included a changeover in coach with Damien McMahon departing and Trevor Williams taking over in a caretaker capacity and now since former Carlton AFL and East Fremantle WAFL premiership player Earl Spalding has taken over the helm.

There has also been some key players departing including captain Paul Bevan, Cale Morton, Haydn Busher, Gerald Ugle, Jared Risol and Nick Kane, but the Demons are confident that they have been able to put together a playing squad that will be competitive.

Perhaps the biggest addition will be the return of 2013 fairest and best winner Brett Hodge after the midfielder missed the entire 2014 campaign through injury.

He will now be able to form what looks to be a solid midfield consisting of new captain and reigning Butcher Medal winner Dene White and last year's late season recruit from East Fremantle Aidan Tropiano.

There are then some handy additions to the Perth squad as well with small defender Jacob Payne on board from East Perth, key defender Brent Latch joining from Swan Districts and talented trio Liam McKenna, Kelvin Lawrence and Toby Gianatti joining from Peel Thunder.

Gianatti only played seven league matches with Peel in 2014 and 11 in 2013, but in 2012 was one of the better small defenders in the competition finishing third in the Thunder's fairest and best award.

McKenna has only managed to breakthrough for 18 league matches since making his debut in 2010 and just one in 2014, but he racked up 28 possessions and last season in the reserves he averaged 28.9 disposals a game.

The 22-year-old is a ball magnet and that is something Perth will look to get more use out of.

Then there is Lawrence who is a talented small forward and having previously been on an AFL list with Melbourne, if he can again find his best form he will be a terrific addition to the Perth line-up in 2015.

Perth's new football manager is Tyson Beattie who is coming off time working with Channel 9 as sports reporter and presenter, and prior to that he spent eight years in the United States playing American football as a punter with Indiana University and later working at the college.

He has been impressed with how the trio from Peel have quickly settled in as they became part of the transfer deal that saw Ugle leave the Demons for the Thunder.

"The addition of three outstanding recruits from Peel has been a major boost for the squad. Toby Gianatti has shown his strength and endurance already throughout pre-season and will be an excellent addition to the back-line," Beattie said.

"Liam McKenna has settled quickly and is already impressing with his foot skills and decision making in training drills. Kelvin Lawrence, the former Melbourne listed speedster, has demonstrated his lightning pace and silky skills and will provide another damaging weapon in the forward-line."

Another key addition to the Perth squad for 2015 is 2010 Swan Districts premiership player Wolfenden.

The 25-year-old was a key part of the Swan Districts team in 2010 that won the flag and that was on the back of the courageous and hard-running wingman represented Western Australia in the State game in 2009 in the drought breaking win over South Australia.

He had played 77 matches up to the end of 2011 when he departed but now after a three-season absence from the WAFL he is back and ready to make his mark again with the Demons.

And Beattie has been impressed with how Wolfenden has looked over the pre-season along with fellow experienced players Chance Bateman, Mitch Morton, Chris Billings and Jarrad Irons.

"Former Swan Districts premiership player Brett Wolfenden has also been outstanding and has hardly missed a session," Beattie said.

"Returning veterans Chance Bateman and Mitch Morton have shown excellent leadership and are set for big years. Another leader who has been brilliant is Chris Billings who has committed to the club by signing another contract, along with former Port Adelaide listed local product Jarrad Irons."