Premier Cricket: Prahran signs Damon Egan and Oliver Gunning
Premier Cricket outfit Prahan has secured two key signings for 2020-21, with the pair deciding to reunite with senior coach Julien Wiener.
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St Kilda has lost one of its most talented young players, with Damon Egan crossing to its great rival Prahran.
The 22-year-old played one of the innings of the 2019-20 season, a matchwinning 137 not out against Casey South Melbourne that allowed the Saints to run down a target of 9-329 at the Junction Oval.
But he finished the season out of the side, squeezed when the Saints could select Test trio Marcus Harris, Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson.
The century was a thrilling exhibition of Egan’s ability, as was a blast of 82 against Dandenong in a Super Slam final.
But consistency eluded him: in the club championship he hit 285 runs at 25.9.
Egan is set to fill a role at No.3 or in the middle order at Prahran and joins his third club after stints at the Saints and Melbourne.
The True Blues have also gained promising batsman Oliver Gunning, who has spent time with Camberwell Magpies and Melbourne.
Gunning posted an unbeaten 119 for the Magpies against his other former side in February 2019 but ended last season out of the First XI line-up.
“They’ve made the decision that our environment will fit what they’re trying to do,” Prahran’s head of cricket Bryce McGain said.
“We’ve got some pretty good coaches around and they’re dynamic and want to be the best players they can be.
“They’ve got aspirations to go further, but first thing’s first, it’s about getting their Premier Cricket going well.
“We’re very excited to have both of them playing at Prahran.”
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Egan believes there will be a greater role for him at Prahran, with the pair reuniting with Julien Wiener, who worked as an assistant at Melbourne.
Wiener has been in charge at Toorak Park for the past two summers.
“What he cares about is the person, so he just builds relationships,” McGain said of Wiener.
“He didn’t mind that these players played at other clubs. They gravitate back because he’s such a caring person.”
St Kilda captain Adam Crosthwaite said his club was disappointed to lose Egan, who played one match for the Victorian Second XI in 2018-19.
“He’s a tremendous talent,’’ he said.
“There’s no doubting that, but I think Damon wanted to change things because he felt it just wasn’t working for him at St Kilda.
“He’s got all the talent in the world and we saw him make that great hundred, but I guess the key to being a class player is to make them week in and week out. Unfortunately that didn’t happen for him. But I hope he goes well. I wish him all the best.’’
McGain said the True Blues had optimism the future was bright after all four men’s teams and its Women’s Premier First XI outfit contested finals in 2019-20.
“As a whole club, things are heading in the right direction,” he said.
“The older players want to hang around and they’re loving it.
“The players know there’s a lot of work ahead. We haven’t made it by any stretch, and they’re really up for that challenge and know we’re on the right path.
“They really believe the things we’re putting in place are getting results.”