ECA: North Balwyn’s new coach Anthony Amalfi outlines plans for 2020-21
Reigning ECA Dunstan Shield premier North Balwyn has locked in a new coach with a Sheffield Shield appearance to his name, while the Bulls have also had some major changes in their playing ranks.
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Premierships are not unfamiliar to new North Balwyn coach Anthony Amalfi.
He has led Plenty to two flags in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association and enjoyed a decorated playing career with Premier Cricket clubs Camberwell Magpies and Carlton.
Now Amalfi, who played on Sheffield Shield match for Victoria in the summer of 1992-93, is preparing for his new job at a powerhouse club fresh from a premiership.
North Balwyn has contested five of the past six Eastern Cricket Association Dunstan Shield grand finals, securing the ultimate prize in 2016-17 and 2019-20.
“Obviously I’m taking on a pretty good club, a pretty strong-cultured club … that’s a positive and hopefully there are some good things I can add to that,” Amalfi said.
“I’ve got some friends there. (Club president) Neil Dalrymple has been a good friend for 40 years-plus and we played cricket in England together in 1986 … so there’s always been a strong connection there.
“We’ll keep trying to improve. Especially in the technical side, I might be able to bring a bit there.
“I’ll really focus on the young blokes we’ve got coming through as much as we can and try to fast-track them a bit.”
Amalfi said he was not intending to coach this season but is “very excited” about his new role, with the Bulls coming from fourth position to claim the 2019-20 title.
North Balwyn is one of the leading clubs in an ever-improving ECA top grade, but the new mentor said there was no substitute for hard work.
There has been some movement in the playing ranks, with gun wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Meredith moving to Geelong and joining Newtown & Chilwell.
Overseas player Aadil Ali, who scored an unbeaten 108 in last season’s semi-final against East Doncaster before finishing with 59 not out in the decider against Canterbury, will not come out from the UK because of the coronavirus crisis.
But the Bulls have landed a major signing in former junior Elliot Brandon-Jones, who compiled 227 runs at 28.38 for Northcote’s First XI last season, including a knock of 127 against Footscray last November.
He also contributed 212 runs at 30.29 in the Second XI competition.
“Having a few quick chats to him, he seems like he’s very keen to work hard. He’s a good kid,” Amalfi said.
“My nephew is good mates with him from junior cricket, so I remember seeing him as a young fella and he always had talent.
“I’m not going to put any expectations on him, just let him enjoy his cricket, and help him where I can. If he works hard, he’ll be successful, I’ve got no doubt.
“He’ll either open or bat at three.”
North Balwyn was also without Max Tomkinson in the grand final, while Kaushick Maheshwaran and Will Wilson are among the young guns at the club’s disposal.
Star opener Nitesh Patel has again been appointed captain after plundering 605 runs at 46.54 last summer.
“He seems like a very good leader from what I’ve seen so far,” Amalfi said.
The ECA season will comprise one-day fixtures only.
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