Subbies 2018-19 grand finalist Elsternwick beefs up coaching and playing ranks

Can Elsty back up their stirring run in Subbies last season? A former star has returned as part of the coaching team, and a First grade batsman has crossed from Tasmania.

Mark Quinn made quite an impact when he joined Elsternwick in the 1990s.

Relocating from Queensland with his work, the off-spinner played 51 First XI matches in Subbies.

Two decades later an Elsty official still recalls the fizz Quinn put on the ball, shaping it away from the bat and spinning it back.

He joined District club South Melbourne, pushing up for Victorian Second XI selection.

Quinn has returned to Elsty, not to shoulder their slow bowling, but to join team-of-the-century player John Watkin and First XI captain Cameron Christiansen on the coaching panel.

Watkin, an assistant coach to Christiansen last season, has been appointed director of cricket.

“Mark’s back with us after a stint at Hampton, and we’re excited to have him back on board,’’ Christiansen said.

“He’s got a really good cricket brain, great knowledge of the game, and he’s going to add a lot to our young group.’’

He said of Elsty’s coaching arrangements: “Coaching is a pretty tough gig these days, meeting all the different responsibilities, and we’ve got a broad group of people who will be involved.

“We’ll also probably bring people in from outside at times to help share the workload and get some interesting ideas.’’

Elsternwick captain Cameron Christiansen on the drive in last season’s finals. Picture: Valeriu Campan

On the playing front, the Wickers have recruited Tasmanians Luke Williams and Joseph Turmine.

Williams, an opener, played 23 First XI games for North Hobart. Turmine is an off-spinner.

Both joined in training last Thursday night, when 37 players attended the first pre-season session at the Junction Oval.

Christiansen said the club still had room in its points cap for a quality player who hadn’t found a home for 2019-20.

ELSTY'S MAGICAL FINALS RUN

SUBBIES FLAG FOR MIGHTY OAKS

Last season Elsternwick made a memorable surge to its first grand final for more than 50 years, only to be flattened by Oakleigh.

“It was a great experience and everyone is keen to go again and get another taste of it,’’ Christiansen said.

“We’ve got some good young players coming through, we’ve added a few, and competition for spots will be competitive.

“We’re under no illusions. We only won six games (in the home-and-away season) so we need to improve. What we do know is that if we can take it deep we’ve got guys who can perform in big games.’’

Elsternwick has appointed former Geelong captain Matthew Harrison to look after its wickets.

Christiansen said Harrison was a highly credentialed curator who would produce good pitches.