Gold Coast Premier Grade players to watch as mouth watering clash kicks off season 2023/24

Gold Coast Premier Grade kicks off this Saturday with a number of mouth watering clashes to begin the 2023/24 season.

Gold Coast Premier Grade kicks off this Saturday with a number of mouth watering clashes to begin the 2023/24 season.

Surfers Paradise will look to rise up the ladder while Helensvale-Pacific Pines chase back-to-back premierships.

We spoke to the club presidents and they gave us what they are looking forward to most.

Players to watch this season:

Corey Galloway will be a player to watch this season for Alberton. Picture: Bob Jones

Alberton Ormeau Cricket Club

Round 1 v Mudgeeraba-Nerang Cricket Club

What president Matt Yiend said.

“Very tough game coming up against Mudgeeraba, I think they would be favourites for the flag this season.

“It will definitely be a good contest against them and will be interesting to see how we will go with the new recruits and hard work we have put in during the off season.”

Corey Galloway – South East Queensland representative

Jayden Sands – SEQ Seamers representative – Opening bowler, expecting his game to go to the next level and be one of the dominant bowlers of the competition this season.

Reece Neyland – Named captain for season 2022/23, expecting him to go to another level this season

Broadbeach Robina Cricket Club

Round 1 v Queens Cricket Club

What president Paul Azzopardi said.

“We got a few new faces and young players at the club, so it is an exciting season in that sense,” Azzopardi said.

“It is more about building and developing this season with what we have got in terms of players.

“We have been successful over the last decade or so but with the older players moving on we start fresh.

“So that is exciting for us.”

“Not anyone in particular but excited to see how everyone and the club go on field this season.”

Burleigh cricket Harry Collier is one of the players to watch this season. Pic Mike Batterham

Burleigh Cricket Club

Round 1 v Southport-Labrador Cricket Club

What president Lachlan Pegler said.

“Our main focus is to improve on from last year, develop players and be a stronger club,” Pegler said.

“We have lost a few players from last year but that gives opportunities to other players coming through.

“There will be a few juniors who will be playing second grade this weekend.”

Harry Collier – Harry is the leader of our group. it will be good to see him step up in the role as leader and what he does with the bowling line-up this season.

Jasper Schoenmaker – Jasper is a longtime Burleigh cricketer, he played juniors at Burleigh and has now stepped into seniors where he will bat in the top order and we are excited to see how he goes this season.

Burleigh cricketer Jasper Schoenmaker is one of the players to watch this season who has stepped up into senior cricket this year. Photo by Richard Gosling

Coomera-Hope Island Cricket Club

Round 1 v Helensvale-Pacific Pines Cricket Club

What president Paul Kleinschmidt said.

“With a new coach this year, we are looking to really develop the younger players coming through,” Kleinschmidt said.

“We will have plenty of juniors having the opportunity to play senior cricket so they get a good feeling of what it is like.”

Declan Ross – Batsman – welcoming back a top/middle order bat in Declan Ross will boost the line up for Coomera this season.

Brad Murphy – Coach – First class coach taking over the program to produce success on the field across all grades.

Helensvale-Pacific Pines Cricket Club (2022/23 premiers)

Round 1 v Coomera-Hope Island Cricket Club

What president David O’Donnell said

“We have done a bit of recruiting during the off season that has really bolstered our club,” O’Donnell said.

“We actually have recruited four players from Coomera, which we are very excited to see what they can do this season.”

Helensvale Pacific Pines brothers Harry and Jack Lickiss are two to keep a close eye this season as HPPCC chase back-to-back premierships. Picture, John Gass

Harry Lickiss – The all-rounder had a very strong T20 competition to start of the season and will look to continue that form heading into the rest of the year.

Cole Turner – The handy recruit from the United Kingdom will strengthen the clubs bowling stocks this year.

Chandima Bandara ‘ana’ – This handy Sri Lankan cricketer will look to help Helensvale-Pacific Pines go back-to-back this season.

Mudgeeraba-Nerang Cricket Club

Round 1 v Alberton Ormeau Cricket Club

What president Matt Gill said.

“We have recruited a bit over the winter which are some exciting new players for the club,” Gill said.

“We lost all three grand finals last season so we will be looking to correct that this year.”

Scott Sanderson – Moved across from Burleigh this season to bolster the stocks with Mudgee looking to chase a flag.

Matt Grant – Another Burleigh recruit to help bolster the clubs squad.

Archie Fairfax-Ross – Has flown over after playing in England’s summer, playing for Hampshire second grade. Cousin is a junior from the club.

Archie Fairfax-Ross is a player to watch for season 2023/24 as Mudgeeraba-Nerang look to claim the flag this season. Photo: Regi Varghese

Palm Beach-Currumbin Cricket Club

Round 1 v Surfers Paradise Cricket Club

What president Ian Smith said.

“We will build on from last year, take the next step towards success both on and off the field,” Smith said.

Cody Durante – Cody has been named the clubs new captain for 2023/24.

Ben Davis – A junior cricketer who has returned to the club, will be exciting to see what this talented cricketer can do.

Finn Longberg – Finn has put in the hard work during the off season and is in the best physical shape to take this season by storm.

Cody Durante has been named the club captain for season 2023/24 and is a player to watch. Photo by Richard Gosling

Queens Cricket Club

Round 1 v Broadbeach Robina Cricket Club

What president Brett Amos said.

“Our colts aged players will make up our fourth grade side this season,” Amos said.

“It paves the way for our juniors as well to step up into senior cricket.

“We lost Riley Coy this season, he moved to Broadbeach so it will be interesting to see how the boys play against him.”

Sam Yabsley – Has come across from Burleigh this season, very strong all-rounder. Yabsley had a six month stint playing for Derbyshire during the English summer before returning to Australia where he played cricket at Souths in Brisbane before driving down the M1 to the Gold Coast.

Mitch Freeman – Returns from spending six months playing cricket in the English county, has defined his craft as a strong opening bat.

Queen's batsman Mitchell Freeman is a player to watch for the 2023/24 season. Picture: Jason O'Brien

Runaway Bay Cricket Club (Bye round 1)

Round 2 v Burleigh Cricket Club

What president Chris Thompson said.

“We have recruited strongly over the winter break and brought in some really good new talent,” Thompson said.

“New president this year as well to go along with the 22 new players at the club which included a T20 side which was 70 per cent new.”

Joel Harrison – Batsmen – Has had a really good start to the year, averaging around 52 in the T20 competition.

Steven Graham – named captain this season and will be looking forward to how he commands his players as they chase success.

Southport speedster Mitchell Johnson is a player to watch as he looks to continue his form from 2022/23. (Photo/Steve Holland)

Southport Labrador Cricket Club

Round 1 v Burleigh Cricket Club

What president Dean Johnson said.

“We have brought in a new playing-coach this season, Ryan Thorpe which has been really good for the pre-season,” Johnson said.

“We had three 15-year-olds playing in the T20 comp as well and that is what we are focusing on this season.

“Developing the younger players and we have welcomed back some players as well.”

Ryan Thorpe – playing/coach – Top order bat.

Harvey Rankin – English Import – Come from Liverpool, middle order bat who is a handy leg spinner.

Mitchell Johnson – The right arm quick who attempts to don the namesake’s mo will return for Southport, will look to continue on his form from last season.

Surfers Paradise Cricket Club (Wooden spooners 2022/23)

Round 1 v Palm Beach-Currumbin Cricket Club

What president James Phelan said.

“We finished last in 2022/23 so the only way is up this season really,” Phelan said.

“We picked up a few players, will have Nathan Reardon playing for us this season.”

The 2021/22 premiership captain returns for Surfers Paradise for season 2023/24 as the club looks to bounce back from finishing bottom last season.

Claye Beams – The 2021/22 premiership captain has returned and has returned to his spot as captain and keeper.

Henry Jones – Middle/Top order batsmen – will miss the first two weeks of the season but will be a very handy inclusion for the Demons.

TJ Miller – recruited from Southport, Miller will likely take the new ball this season.