Swans aim to build dominant dynasty

Captain Blaine Schloss has high hopes Maroochydore can build a dynasty of dominance on the region’s cricket scene after capping a momentous season.

Maroochydore Cricket Club are the champions of 2020 in the 2-day, 1-day and T20 competitions. Captain Blaine Schloss with the 2-day trophy. Photo: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

CRICKET: Captain Blaine Schloss has high hopes Maroochydore can build a dynasty of dominance on the region’s cricket scene after capping a momentous season.

The table-topping Swans were presented their A-grade premiership silverware on Saturday after their decider with Caboolture was called off earlier in the week due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It’s the first time Maroochydore has placed their hands on the trophy in 12 years and followed on the back of one-day and Twenty20 silverware honours.

“It’s obviously a pretty surreal feeling at the moment – the boys are disappointed that we didn’t get a chance to actually get out on field and put our skills on show but I guess this is why you finish first during the season - in the event of rain or anything like that you give yourself the best opportunity to win a title,” captain Schloss said.

“To also win the T20 flag and the one-day flag I feel like we really deserve this.”

Maroochydore Cricket Club are the champions of 2020 in the 2-day, 1-day and T20 competitions. Captain Blaine Schloss with the 2-day trophy. Coaches Wayne Anderson and Graeme Stewart with captain Blaine Schloss. Photo: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

Schloss was hopeful the Swans could maintain their strength and growth in coming years to truly stamp their dominance on the division.

“About three seasons ago we had probably seven or eight of our best players retire and leave the club so this has been a work in progress for three years,” he said.

“We’ve backed a lot of young guys and really brought them through the lower grades into first grade and I think they’re now starting to really recognise their role.

“We’ve seen over the last eight or 10 years how dominant Caboolture have been and we feel like we’re starting to build our own dynasty here in our own way at Maroochydore.”

“The ultimate goal would be to put three to five years together and really keep this squad solid and striving to achieve more.”

The 23-year-old expected most to return next season eager to chase back-to-back premierships and was well aware they’d have a target on their back.

“We’ve seen year in and year out that the competition never gets any easier and we’re going to have to adapt to being hunted come next season,” he said.

“It’s obviously going to be a big change for the guys.

“We’re going to have to know that every team is going to be coming after us next season which is obviously going to be difficult because teams as it is always like top play their best cricket against Maroochydore and that’s going to go to a new level next year.”

Schloss said the club’s awards night had been cancelled due to the coronavirus threat, but hoped it could be held in conjunction with a season launch for the 2020-21 campaign.

He believed Luke McInnes was frontrunner for the player of the year gong.

“He just knew his role so well and was so hungry to perform well and hold his spot in first division and he’s turned out to be not only one of our best players in the team but one of the best in the comp,” Schloss said.

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