On the eve preseason recommencing, Hampton Rovers FC have another huge signing, with former Best & Fairest winner Mark Cracker Devereaux confirming that he will be back in the green and gold in 2013 and beyond.
Devereaux joins a long list of players who have returned to the Rovers to play under Guy Martyn in his debut season as Senior Coach.
Devereaux graduated from the juniors, making his senior debut in 2004. In that year he played 17 games, finished 3rd in the Best & Fairest, and won Best First Year Player. In 2006 he won the Clubs Most Consistent Award. Devereaux had a standout year in 2008, playing a major role in getting the Club to the Grand Final and winning the Best & Fairest, followed by the Best Utility in 2009. 2010 & 2011 were again exceptional seasons for Devereaux, twice finishing runner-up to Leigh Fletcher in the Best & Fairest count. In his 8 seasons playing senior football with the Rovers, Devereaux has finished in the top 3 in the Best & Fairest count in all but one season.
In 2012, Devereaux joined the Hasting Football Club in the Mornington Peninsula League. In his only season with the Club, he finished runner-up in the senior Best & Fairest after playing only 12 games, and was voted Player of the Year by the Clubs Committee.
Devereaux is looking forward to getting back to the Rovers to play alongside a number of his great mates.
When Marto (Guy Martyn) mentioned that he was applying for the coaching job, I was rapt; he is one of my best mates! He got the job and then Corpy (Daniel Corp) committed, so the opportunity for the three of us to be back together at the Club we love, I couldnt pass it up. I think weve got a huge opportunity to win a flag, and thats another reason Ive come back to help win a flag for the Rovers.
In the lead up to the 2013 season, Devereaux has had multiple offers to play with clubs throughout Melbourne in various leagues, but refused these, passing up significant financial offers, to come back to the Rovers.
Martyn said that the addition of Devereaux will further add experience to the mid-field, which will include young guns who have cut their teeth in senior football over the last couple of seasons.
Cracker is a quality player and his solid frame will give Fletch a good chop out in the mid-field. He is really competitive, so I think the young list will learn so much from having a guy with so much determination in the team. He played in the Mornington League last year, and he really led the way and stood out in whats a pretty solid competition.
In further signings, former Rover Luke Dallas has also committed to playing again in 2013. Dallas has played 132 games with the Rovers since 1997, including the 2007 and 2008 Grand Finals. Like Devereaux, his experience will be welcomed. Dallas is a composed player, with solid hands, pace and his long kicks always know how to find their way through the big sticks.
The Hampton Rovers are thrilled to have both players back to the Club, where they both share a long history. During their time at the Rovers, both have been great supporters of the Club off the field as well as on.
Training kicks off on Wednesday 30th January, meeting at Boss James Reserve at 6:00pm. New players are most welcome to come along and get involved in what is shaping up to be an exciting season. Click here for details >>
