By Russell Bennett
West Gippsland Cricket Association Premier division 2016/17 – season preview
THE equations are simple. Five into four, and even six into four simply don’t go.
The brutal nature of the super-competitive upper-echelon of the WGCA will be on show for all to see right from the start of the new season this weekend with at least five sides, and potentially as many as seven, fighting tooth and nail to secure a finals berth.
Pakenham was clearly the class of the competition throughout the home-and-away season in 2015/16 and thoroughly deserved its crown, but the Lions know that their semi-final against Merinda Park could so easily have gone the other way.
In a battle between first and fourth, practically nothing separated them.
It’s likely to be a similar story this season with Tooradin and last year’s vanquished grand finalists Kooweerup having taken huge steps forward.
The Lions will absolutely still be there when the whips are cracking and now have the certain knowledge that their best is good enough – that they can take on, and beat, any side in the competition right when it matters most.
The fourth finals spot this year could, unbelievably, come down to a fight between Cardinia and Merinda Park.
But the Maroons and Bombers won’t die wondering either – both of those sides have plenty to prove, with Emerald out to show it belongs in Premier for the long-haul.
When it comes to individual players, Pakenham star Chris Smith will capture plenty of attention after his sensational 2015/16 campaign while former team mate Russell Lehman will be one to watch at a rejuvenated Tooradin alongside returning favourite son Cal O’Hare and two other bonafide guns in Aaron Avery and skipper Tom Hussey.
A new era at Kooweerup under former Demons foe Mark Cooper has begun, and if the established group knows one thing it’s how to win.
The side has restocked with some experienced batsmen but will also give its young guns plenty of opportunity to prove themselves.
At Pakenham, the Lions have lost Lehman, Ben Shipperd and Steve Dillon but in comes former Maroons team mates Chris Savage and Tom Tyrrell, and Dillon Allen from Narre Warren, who’s set to play a key role behind the stumps.
There’s so much uncertainty surrounding the new Premier season, but one thing is for sure – it’s going to be an absolute belter!
WGCA Premier Grade – season 2016-17
CARDINIA
Last Season: Second
Captain: Neil Barfuss
President: Luke Turner
Last season most runs: Alex Nooy – 548 at 42.15
Last season most wickets: Dwayne Doig – 50 at 10.24
Ins: Kim Bentick (overseas), David Kingston (Croydon North) and Brad Reiner (Mitcham).
Outs: Travis Welsh, Brayden Browne (Korumburra), Mark Andolfatto (Tooradin), Dean Henwood (Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll), Ryan Little (Pakenham Upper-Toomuc) and Lucas Plozza (Pakenham Upper-Toomuc).
Captain’s comments
Players to watch: Alex Nooy, Ben Maroney, Dwayne Doig, Ben Parrott, Pat Nolen, Ricky Campbell and Travis Wheller.
Improvement from last year: We have had an influx of new players this season and that combined with our improved young players has given us greater depth in our batting and bowling.
Strengths: We have players on our list who can win the game off their own bat or ball. Combine that with the improved depth with the new inclusions and our youth and we have a strong, exciting-looking club.
Main threat: I see our main threats to be Pakenham, who had an amazing 2015/16; Kooweerup who have some quality inclusions; and Tooradin who have also strengthened their line-up. I can see five or six teams fighting for the top four.
Expectations: At Cardinia we expect everyone at our club to learn and improve from the season before. I have seen our young players and new recruits all stand up in the pre-season so I am excited to see their results. We are expecting the firsts and Sub-District side to be pushing hard for finals.
Gazette prediction: Fourth. The Bulls have taken a sizable hit to their seam bowling stocks with the departure of Welsh, Browne and Henwood but still have the sheer talent and firepower with bat and ball to make the top four and potentially contend.
EMERALD
Last Season: Seventh
Captain: AJ Walker
President: Paul Reilly
Last season most runs: AJ Walker – 348 at 24.86
Last season most wickets: Clinton Marsh – 22 at 17.95
Ins: Mitch Daley (Ashburton), Ash Hill (Ashburton), Nick Hill (Ashburton), Owen Thorne (Wantirna), Geordie Scott (Gembrook), Ryan Scott (Gembrook), and Jarrad Donders (Gembrook).
Outs: Hashan Goonetilleke.
Captain’s comments
Players to watch: Trent Rolfs, Mitch Daley and Geordie Scott.
Improvement from last year: Producing more top-order runs, sustained batting partnerships, and winning close games.
Strengths: Batting depth and quality, and the additions of experienced bowlers to our line-up.
Main threat: Tooradin, Pakenham and Kooweerup.
Expectations: To place ourselves in a strong position in the latter part of this year to compete in the finals.
Gazette prediction: Seventh. While picking the Bombers to finish in the same position they did last year may sound a little harsh given their inclusions and improvement from within, Walker’s side is likely to take big steps forward this season and bridge the gap to the top six.
KOOWEERUP
Last season: Third (grand finalists)
Captain: Mark Cooper
President: Paul West
Last season most runs: Chris O’Hara – 427 at 42.70
Last season most wickets: Jess Mathers – 35 at 17.11
Ins: Mark Cooper (Hallora), Andrew Martin (Hallora), Ben Spicer (Pakenham Upper-Toomuc), Jackson Berry (Cardinia), Jack Bacon (Cardinia), and Lachie Ramage (Cardinia).
Outs: Ron Bright Jr (Lang Lang), Dan Hawken (Lang Lang), Jake Bardwell, Michael Giles (Korumburra), Ayden Mills (Lang Lang), Sam Cole (Lang Lang) and Clint Fulton (Lang Lang).
Captain’s comments
Players to watch: Chris O’Hara and Matt Davey.
Improvement from last year: Our team will change a fair bit to the one that played off in the grand final. Our younger players have been really good throughout our pre-season and will be given every opportunity to succeed in all grades.
Strengths: I think we have recruited well for specific areas and we are starting to build a lot more depth with our under-18 players.
Main threat: I think the competition will be very even this year. I think all sides are a chance to make the top four. For the top two it would be hard to go past Pakenham and Tooradin.
Expectations: This year will be one of change and unknown for us. From what has been a really settled team over a long period of time, change has meant that there is a real opportunity for a new crop of players to step up to Premier at Kooweerup. There is a real excitement and buzz at training but it’s hard to predict if we will be in the top four after Round 14.
Gazette prediction: Runners-up. The Demons were never going to sit on their hands after last season’s grand final appearance and took some impressive steps forward through their recruitment. They’ve lost a fair bit of depth, but gained some real top-end quality headed by new captain-coach Cooper.
MERINDA PARK
Last season: Fourth
Captain: Danny Diwell
President: Heath Gibson
Last season most runs: Daniel McCalman – 485 at 48.50
Last season most wickets: Jamie Smith – 21 at 11.62
Ins: Simon Parrott (Flinders) and Sanjeev Dhankar (Yarra United).
Outs: Anthony Craddock and Reece Williams.
Captain’s comments
Players to watch: Daniel McCalman – following on from a good season last year and hoping to improve.
Improvement from last year: To go a couple of steps further than last year, and to be a more consistent team.
Strengths: Batting.
Main threat: I think this year is going to be a pretty even competition, and any team on the day could win.
Expectations: To have a solid contribution from all of our players, and hoping to win a flag.
Gazette prediction: Fifth. Merinda Park looms as the side most likely to fall out of the top four, but expect the Cobras to be fighting for a finals berth right until the very end of the home and away season. The side has the talent to trouble, and beat, any opposition.
PAKENHAM
Last season: Premiers
Captain: Dom Paynter
President: Phil Anning
Last season most runs: Chris Smith – 786 at 49.13
Last season most wickets: Jack Ryan – 34 at 16.68
Ins: Chris Savage (Nerrena), Dillon Allen (Narre Warren), and Tom Tyrrell (Upper Beaconsfield).
Outs: Steve Dillon (Jindivick), Ben Shipperd (Caulfield), and Russell Lehman (Tooradin).
Captain’s comments
Players to watch: Zac Chaplin and Tom Tyrrell have both had terrific pre-seasons.
Improvement from last year: We’re looking for continued improvement in all aspects and, hopefully, the results can follow.
Strengths: Our batting depth, a number of all-round options, and our bowling and fielding as a group.
Main threat: All sides seem to have recruited well so it will hopefully be a very competitive competition this season. Kooweerup, Tooradin, and Cardinia will all be very strong again.
Expectations: To play finals is the ultimate goal, and the continued development of younger guys like Dan Vela, Morne O’Donoghue, Tom Jones, Darcy Jones and others will, hopefully, see us blood some new talent at stages during the season.
Gazette prediction: Third. There’ll be nothing separating the top three or four sides all season and any and all of those loom as premiership contenders. The all-around loss of Russell Lehman hurts but the Lions have recruited wisely and will make a huge tilt at back-to-back flags.
PAKENHAM UPPER-TOOMUC
Last Season: Premiers in District division
Captain: Not yet announced
President: Vicky Downes
Last season most runs: Ben Spicer – 745 at 53.21
Last season most wickets: Scott Clark – 46 at 10.59
Ins: Brad Senior, Daniel Strahan (Catani), Lucas Plozza (Cardinia), and Ryan Little (Cardinia)
Outs: Scott Clark (Devon Meadows), Ben Spicer (Kooweerup), Nick Fairbank (Ellinbank)
Comments (from coach Brad Senior)
Players to watch: All of us – especially F Grade. We’re proud to be taking on a new challenge and very much looking forward to what the season might bring.
Improvement from last year: N/A
Strengths: Lots.
Main threat: The Pakenham Gazette giving away all our strengths.
Expectations: We are all going to witness some amazing pieces of cricket this coming season, some from Pakenham Upper, some from other Premier sides. We have certainly recruited the right calibre of player with excellent attitudes and we are proud to be coming into the new season off the back of the flag. The great thing about cricket is knowing that anything can happen. The Yabbies all have heart and they all have soul and that’s what makes us the team to beat. Expectations are high but realistic.
Gazette prediction: Eighth. The Yabbies will be entertaining to watch all season and they’ve recruited some great clubmen, but the simple fact is that they’ve lost their three biggest stars from last season’s District premiership, who combined for over 1750 runs and 80 wickets.
TOORADIN
Last season: Fifth
Captain: Tom Hussey
President: Kane Latham
Last season most runs: Tom Hussey – 640 at 45.71
Last season most wickets: Josh Lownds – 31 at 15.16
Ins: Callum O’Hare (Buckley Ridges), Russell Lehman (Pakenham) and Mark Andolfatto (Cardinia).
Outs: Nil.
Captain’s comments
Players to watch: Aaron Avery after a strong pre-season, and Cal O’Hare back at the club.
Improvement from last year: With the addition of a couple of top-order batsmen and a solid pre-season, I expect to see some more runs on the board this coming year.
Strengths: Our bowling will be a strength with a number of quality options to provide constant pressure.
Main threat: It’s hard to go past both of last season’s grand finalists, Pakenham and Kooweerup, after further additions to their respective teams. The competition in general will be hotly contested with a number of clubs strengthening their lists so I’m tipping we will see some quality cricket played across the summer.
Expectations: To play good, consistent cricket and get ourselves back up the table after a disappointing finish to season 2015/16. Make finals and anything is possible.
Gazette prediction: Premiers. Tooradin will be an entirely different beast this season with the return of Cal O’Hare, the stunning acquisition of Russell Lehman, and the seemingly inevitable return to form of Aaron Avery. They’re packed with talent from top to bottom, and the club also has a wealth of depth through its District side.
UPPER BEACONSFIELD
Last season: Sixth
Captain: Bathiya Perera
President: Rob Hansen
Last season most runs: Bathiya Perera – 443 at 34.08
Last season most wickets: Scott Pitcher – 37 at 14.81
Ins: Jonathan Caderamanpulle, Alamdar Raza (Seaford), Rukshan Carim (United Stars), Inesh Rebel, and Tiron Fernando (Seaford).
Outs: Rob North (Doveton) and Tom Tyrrell (Pakenham).
Captain’s comments
Players to watch: Scott Pitcher, Julian Bayard, Jonathan Caderamanpulle, and Tiron Fernando.
Improvement from last year: Strengthened batting.
Strengths: Middle-order batting and bowling.
Main threat: Pakenham and Kooweerup.
Expectations: To play finals cricket.
Gazette prediction: Sixth. The Maroons loom as this season’s biggest question mark, and as one of the Premier teams with the biggest upside. Captain-coach Bathiya Perera will benefit from a full synthetic season under his belt heading into this year, while a host of promising recruits could vault the side into finals contention.
