LJ Hooker League: Team previews and players to watch in Far North Coast Cricket

After a long winter break frontline cricket is set to return to the Northern Rivers. Find out which players are set to bring some X-factor to the LJ Hooker League.

After close to a seven-month off-season, frontline cricket is set to return to the Northern Rivers with LJ Hooker League scheduled to resume this weekend.

The competition, run by the Far North Coast Cricket Council, will feature 10 teams fighting it out for the title, with two new faces joining the competition for the 2024/25 season.

In a revamped draw, all teams will play nine one-day games and six two-day matches in the 15-round season, with the campaign to kick off with a round of one-dayers this Saturday.

Ahead of the season, we will progressively roll out previews for all 10 sides. Check out how they’re shaping up below, starting off with Goonellabah Workers Sports and Tintenbar-East Ballina.

GOONELLABAH WORKERS SPORTS

Reece Gregor in action for GWS. Picture: supplied

With a couple of senior players having moved on in the off-season, Goonellabah will be looking towards youth as it looks to once again play finals cricket in 2024/25.

“We’ve got the majority of players back but we’re missing a few, so that’s given an opportunity to a couple of young guys, which is pretty exciting,” said head coach Graham Armstrong.

“We like to develop guys right through. We’ve lost a couple of senior guys so we’ll fill that with the younger fellas.”

And while the team only lost one game in the 2023/24 regular season to finish second before ultimately being bundled out in the semis, Armstrong is waiting to see how things start before outlining any ambitious goals.

“It’s about getting into the season before we set our plans too high. Of course we’d like to be playing finals again this year, but for us it’s about getting off to the right start and gaining momentum from there.”

Goonellabah finished second last year before bowing out in the semi-final.

In terms of strengths, the coach is hoping his team’s energy and quality with the ball gives it an edge over some of its opponents.

“It’s just about everyone playing their role for us, and if everyone plays their role then we’ll be successful,” said Armstrong. “If I had to pinpoint something, our bowling and fielding keeps our stability sound.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brady Toniello

Brady Toniello will take over the captaincy this season. Picture: supplied

With Toniello taking over as skipper this season, Armstrong expects the extra responsibility to be a positive for his captain.

“I think that’s really going to cement his cricket as a player,” said the coach. “He’s an explosive batsman but I think this year we’ll see a different side to him as our skipper.”

Damian Santin

Give him the ball, push him further up the order – there really isn’t much that the star all-rounder can do, with Santin bringing plenty of X-factor to the Goonellabah side.

“He can do anything, really: he can bat, he can bowl and can take the game away from anyone with either the bat or ball,” said Armstrong. “He plays the game in such a fantastic spirit. He has such a relaxed attitude but can take the game from anybody at any time.”

Kaleb Armstrong

Kaleb Armstrong is an important part of the top order. Picture: supplied

Set to bat at three in both formats this season, the young gun will play a key role in the batting line-up this season.

“He’ll be looking to hold that top order together and get us away to good starts,” said Armstrong.

Kale Hare

Goonellabah’s go-to man for just about any situation, Hare is one of those rare batters who can help stabilise an innings and shift through the gears if the team needs it.

“He can hold us together if he needs to but can also flick the switch and be really explosive for us,” said Armstrong.

“He runs hard between the wickets, he’ll drag the other batsmen along. He’s a guy we can put into the middle order and he’ll play a role for us depending on whatever we need at that particular point in time.”

TINTENBAR-EAST BALLINA

Tintenbar-East Ballina will turn towards youth after losing a couple of experienced players. Picture: supplied

While missing last year’s finals still has a sting in the tail for Tintenbar-East Ballina, a fresh and revitalised group is ready to move on and make amends this time around.

Captain Abe Crawford believes his side can overcome player departures with some familiar faces returning to the fold.

“We’re looking pretty good. We’ve lost a few players who have moved up the coast but have welcomed some new fellas that are stepping up,” he said.

“We also have some older players who haven’t played for a while who are keen to come back.”

Abe Crawford will captain the side.

After a hot start they dropped their final three matches of the season to finish fifth and narrowly miss a spot in the finals.

Crawford said youth will help, as will the want to send out some of their favourites on a winning note.

“To have those losses at the end of the season and miss out was disappointing. Especially after such a good start,” he said.

“We’ve thrown up a bit more of a younger team than we have for the past decade and we’re looking forward to starting the season well in the one-day comp.

“(Last season’s result) is a big driver for us. We have a couple of guys entering their last season and they want to have a big year.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ross Yelseth

A wicketkeeper-batsman, Yelseth is coming off a strong season and his ability to occupy the crease will prove crucial.

“He showed what he can do with the bat last year,” Crawford said. “It will be good to watch him when he gets to the two-day comp. He’s a Michael Hussey-type of batsman.”

Kai Dalli

Kai Dalli is one of the top young prospects in the Northern Rivers. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

At just 16 years of age Dalli will be one of the youngest players in the competition, but the all-rounder adds plenty as a first change medium-pace bowler and middle-order bat.

“Kai is coming back from a shoulder injury so will be ready to bowl at full strength,” Crawford said. “He’s very handy in the middle order as well and is progressing with each year.”

Abe Gibson

The left-arm spinner has an incredible ability to tie up an end and the endurance he has will help Tintenbar-East Ballina to defend their runs.

“Abe moved up a couple of years ago from Newcastle and is one of our main bowlers,” Crawford said. “He can bowl over 20 overs a game and loves getting into the batsmen.”