Sunshine Coast senior men’s cricket season preview 2024/25
The Sunshine Coast cricket season is underway with each captain highlighting their off-season recruits, team aims and players to watch across all three formats. Read the full season preview.
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The rugby league, union, football and Aussie rules seasons are barely behind us but another season of top-grade Sunshine Coast cricket is underway.
The T20 white ball format has begun with the limited overs one day fixtures beginning on September 28 and the two-day contests starting in the coming months.
Rain and poor weather dominated the 2023/24 season as Maroochydore claimed top honours in the T20 competition while Tewantin-Noosa were crowned premiers in the one and two day formats with both finals matches against Caboolture abandoned.
Six new faces were selected in the team of the season as Caboolture’s Glen Batticciotto and Coolum’s Corey Perren lead the way with the bat and the ball.
For 2024/25, ten clubs will contest the region’s top grade with Palmwoods and a second Maroochydore side entering the competition.
The Hinterland club recorded three straight division two premierships before having their first grade bid granted while to avoid a bye, Maroochydore’s second side gives an even numbered competition.
We caught up with each senior men’s captain to find out their aims for the new season as well as which players were the ones to keep an eye on.
Men’s Division 1
Tewantin-Noosa
Captain: Michael Eckard
Overall 2023/24 Result: Premiers
Season aim: “We’re aiming to build on our record and how we performed last season. Obviously we didn’t play out our one and two day finals but if we can get to those same stages again that would be good. Our main focus is to enjoy our cricket and our time together rather than putting too much pressure on ourselves.”
Squad breakdown: “We did well last season but I think we’ve got a more well-rounded squad this time. We’ve got a few older guys returning to the club after having a season or two off. Scott Aufderheide and Tom Stewart are two of them and then the main core group from last season is back again. Jarrod Officer is hoping to keep his form going, Ben Woolmer and his son Riley have come across from Cooroy and another young lad Reilly Carroll is coming through the ranks which is exciting.”
Favourite upcoming fixture: “I think playing against Caboolture is always good fun. We’ve had some good rallies with them and it was unfortunate that we couldn’t finish it off in the finals last season due to the weather. They’ll be one that we’re all looking forward to and Maroochydore as well who always give us a good battle.”
Caboolture
Captain: Cameron Trask
Overall 2023/24 Result: Second
Season aim: “We want to be strong and playing finals again in all three formats. Our squad has added some extra experience which is good and we definitely want to be at the top this season.”
Squad breakdown: “From our younger players we’ve got guys that broke into our top side last season like Jack Southgate and the likes. On the other end some old heads have returned like John Flew who is a former captain and Matt Schubert is back after a couple of years in grade cricket which is really handy. We have lost Ryan Baker but other than that the squad is very much the same as last season.”
Favourite upcoming fixture: “It’s always a good battle between us, Tewantin-Noosa and Maroochydore. They’re the two teams we point out at the start of the season so we look forward to testing ourselves against them as always.”
Maroochydore Swans
Captain: Blaine Schloss
Overall 2023/24 Result: Third
Season aim: “Our main aim is to be a lot more consistent than what we were last season. We played good cricket in patches but we weren’t able to put it all together as well as we could’ve and that’s ultimately why we lifted just one of the three trophies. We’re certainly hoping we can lift a few more this season as we feel we have a solid squad with good depth and gaining more and more experience as the season progresses.”
Squad breakdown: “We’ve got a few of our originals back which is great. Cody Brown played a few games last season but missed the majority of the year through injury and other commitments. Tom Olsen is a guy that’s played plenty of Scorchers cricket in the past, is back at the Swans and is fully committed to us which is great. Zane Gilder is another that’s spent the last 18 months or so overseas and in England so he’ll be a great addition to our squad.”
Favourite upcoming fixture: “Our team always loves competing against the best teams and seeing how we stack up. I think the same powerhouses in Tewantin-Noosa and Caboolture will be strong again this season so those games we’ll have circled for sure.”
Coolum
Captain: Stefan Hook
Overall 2023/24 Result: Fourth
Season aim: “I’m quietly confident that we’ll go pretty well this season. We have unfortunately lost some guys but we’ve also been able to gain a few. The aim is to get among the top teams and push our way into finals but I think we can go quite deep.”
Squad breakdown: “We lost four key players in the off season in Sam Curtis, Brendan Kelly, Logan Beutel and Alex Beck so that’s a lot but we’ve got Brady Barnett in the mix who brings great first class experience and will be massive for us. We had an English lad but he’s going to Maroochydore now which is a bit of a pain. Braydon Simpson is an exciting one, he’s a left arm chinaman that’s been at the club for years and would be my pick of players to watch this season.”
Favourite upcoming fixture: “I think we always look forward to playing Tewantin-Noosa because they are the top dog but for me I’ll be looking at Maroochydore. We’ve lost a lot of close ones against them and had great battles against them since I’ve been at Coolum and haven’t been able to get the win either.”
Caloundra
Captain: Will Carlile
Overall 2023/24 Result: Fifth
Season aim: “We’re striving to build on the season we had last year. It was great to make the finals in the white ball format which was a great improvement but hopefully we can take that next step again. We’re continuing to improve in the longer formats as well so that’s the aim again and if we can break into the finals that would be great.”
Squad breakdown: “We’ve been able to pick up three new players that are new to the club as well as a few young guys coming through the ranks which is exciting. IsaacCottrell, Saxon Maidment and Tom Cain are all guys that we hope to develop as much as we can.”
Favourite upcoming fixture: “I think it’ll be exciting to play the new teams as the season progresses. Just getting a look at new faces and play styles will be cool I think. Playing against Maroochydore is always great fun too, we’ve always had a good friendly rivalry with them so that’s another game we always look forward to.”
Nambour
Captain: Nick Wallace
Overall 2023/24 Result: Sixth
Season aim: “Like any season we’re looking to push for that top four finals spot. In previous years those top three teams have been very consistent and that fourth spot has rotated around so we’re pretty confident that with our full strength squad this season we can push towards that top four. In saying that we’re not trying to look too far around, just hoping to find our groove and be competitive where we can.”
Squad breakdown: “Our main core is still intact from last season which is good but we’ve got a few changes and some guys returning to the club which is good. John Turnbull and Ash Renouf are back after finishing up with Scorchers and having a few years off, Steven Dodd is another that’s come back and we’ve managed to get Steven Heise across too who is another that’s played a fair bit of Scorchers cricket. Steven Ledger is hanging around and we’ve managed to snag an English lad as well for a bit later in the year so our squad depth is a lot more solid this year in batting and bowling which is exciting.”
Favourite upcoming fixture: “I think with the two new teams coming in you look forward to those match-ups and get a feel for where they’re at. Obviously Palmwoods have come off three straight second grade premierships and have earnt their way into the top grade so as local rivals we’ll be looking forward to that game.”
Gympie
Captain: Kelvin Cochrane
Overall 2023/24 Result: Seventh
Season aim: “We’re looking and aiming for a similar year to last. We’re still in a development phase at the moment and that’s our role as a club. We want to be developing players and welcoming them as a pathway club before they transition to higher level cricket. Guys like Trent Riddell and Harry Sippell took that step last season and our now well and truly ingrained in those Scorchers teams which we’re proud of.”
Squad breakdown: “Players like Cooper Keogh and even Nathan Roderick are our shining lights this season in the perspective of younger players that we can help train and develop before giving them that push off for their next chapter. Some other guys have come back from Scorchers and will certainly strengthen our squad so lads like Kuchu Eganyake and Michael Woster.
Favourite upcoming fixture: “Every game is important and we have great battles with every club because we have good friends and some foes out there. We have a great relationship with Nambour so it’s always great playing them but I’m also looking forward to playing the new Palmwoods outfit as I know a lot of those guys and I’m expecting them to be strong.”
Glasshouse
Captain: Joel Owen
Overall 2023/24 Result: Eighth
Season aim: “We’d love to be back playing finals cricket this season if we can. It was a rough season last year so if we can get back into the top four in our stronger formats that would be a huge win.”
Squad breakdown: “We’ve got a few new recruits this season which include some overseas guys, a couple from the Gold Coast and some young players coming through which is great for us. I had my first taste last season playing with some overseas winter guys and everyone enjoyed that so to get a couple more this time is exciting.”
Favourite upcoming fixture: “We enjoy playing all of the teams, I wouldn’t say there’s a game that stands out so it will be enjoyable to see how each team starts to shape up when the one day matches begin.”
Maroochydore Cygnets
Captain: Jack Parker
Overall 2023/24 Result: n/a
Season aim: “We’d love to push up the ladder as high as we can but our main aim is to be as competitive as we can. It’s a bit of an unknown at the moment as it’s a fresh team and a new grade but we’ve certainly got the talent and the enthusiasm.”
Squad breakdown: “It’ll be predominantly a young side. I’m in my late 20s and I’m easily one of the oldest players so there’s a number of guys looking to test and prove themselves in the top grade. Aryan Sanjay would be a key guy for us, he’s in the Scorchers Lord Taverners system and made his first grade debut last season.”
Favourite upcoming fixture: “Playing against the other new team in Palmwoods will be good fun but obviously the other Maroochydore side will also be a cool interclub rivalry.”
Palmwoods
Captain: Clayton Taylor
Overall 2023/24 Result: n/a
Season aim: “We want to be as competitive as we can. Obviously it’s a step up in grade but we’ve won the division two competitions for the last three straight seasons so we want to surprise a few teams and battle it out for a respectable spot on the ladder.”
Squad breakdown: “We’ve pretty well got all bases covered in terms of young players, new recruits and experienced heads which is great. Barry Bester would be one of our best and definitely a guy to keep an eye on. He’s a great leader without being the captain and has played plenty of Brisbane Grade Cricket before. Brendan Jones played Queensland Country a few years ago so he’s another key player and Hayden Guest has returned too which is great.”
Favourite upcoming fixture: “There’s a few we’re looking forward to but one would definitely be against Nambour. Our clubs have always had a great local rivalry so it would be great to knock them off in the top grade. From the other teams obviously Tewantin-Noosa are the benchmark and have a number of big names.”
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