General News
12 June, 2025
Darcy delights on senior return
By ADAM BOURKE AS BEARS Lagoon Serpentine players walked off the ground following last Saturday’s hard-fought Loddon Valley win over Calivil, Darcy Poulter was pushed to the front of the pack. Poulter reluctantly accepted the honour to lead the...
By ADAM BOURKE
AS BEARS Lagoon Serpentine players walked off the ground following last Saturday’s hard-fought Loddon Valley win over Calivil, Darcy Poulter was pushed to the front of the pack.
Poulter reluctantly accepted the honour to lead the team off and Bears’ supporters gave the midfielder a cheer.
The reaction of his team-mates and supporters was a testament to Poulter’s standing at the club.
It wasn’t his 200th senior game or a traditional milestone as such, but it was Poulter’s first senior game for two years.
Poulter hadn’t played a senior game since round 10 of the 2023 season.
He underwent a knee reconstruction, which sidelined him for 12 months, and then further complications with his knee put paid to the remainder of the 2024 season.
Poulter and the Bears decided to take a “better be safe than sorry” approach to the 2025 season.
His first game for the year was in the reserves in round six and, after completing three-straight games in the twos, Poulter was named in the seniors to play Calivil.
Much to the delight of his team-mates, Poulter was one of his side’s better players in the 20-point win over the Demons.
“It was amazing (to be back out on the ground),’’ Poulter said.
“All the work and dedication I’ve put in to get back. I’ve had a lot of support from the club and my family and friends and, to be honest, I couldn’t have got back without them.
“It was a relief to finally be playing senior footy again.”
After two major surgeries on his knee, Poulter was unsure if he’d play the game he loves again.
He had mixed emotions as he watched on from the sidelines as the Bears charged into finals footy in 2023 and 2024.
“It wasn’t looking good at one stage,’’ Poulter said of his injury rehab. “I found myself in quite a dark place at that point. For me, footy is an outlet in life and not having it for two years… it was a missing puzzle piece.
“I love football more than anything and I love Bears Lagoon-Serpentine Football Club more than anything.
“As hard as it was over the last two years to just watch, it was good to see the club have some success and see the younger players improve their game.
“It helped me want to get back to be part of it again.”
One person who is elated to have Poulter back on the park playing senior footy is Bears’ senior coach Jake Wilkinson. “Darcy had a hard road to get back, so it was really pleasing to see him back out there,’’ Wilkinson said.
“He did so much hard work in his rehab and he deserved some rewards for that. I thought he was pretty good for his first game back and he’s only going to get better.
“He’s like a new recruit for us. We won’t put too much pressure on him because after such a long break you just want him to be back out there and enjoying his footy.”