Everything you need to know about VTCA Senior Division season 2022-23
The VTCA Senior Division season looks set to be a thriller. Here’s the lowdown on every club including all the ins and outs.
North West
Don't miss out on the headlines from North West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The 2022-23 Victorian Turf Cricket Association Senior Division season promises to be another exciting one.
Will Haig Fawkner and Aberfeldie again be the teams to beat?
Or could a side who didn’t play finals last season shoot itself into premiership contention.
Deer Park are the new kids on the block after winning the Division 1 premiership but they’re confident of making an impact.
Here’s how every team is looking heading into the season.
ABERFELDIE
Captain: Tallan Wright
Coach: Sohan Boralessa
Last season: Runner-up
In: Anthony Barton (Footscray), Jack Sheppard (Coburg)
Out: Nil.
Snapshot: Aberfeldie is primed for another premiership challenge this season. After losing the decider to Haig Fawkner, Abers have gone out and recruited two big names in Anthony Barton and Jack Sheppard who will make an immediate difference. Sheppard will join Abers captain Tallan Wright and fellow former Premier quick Zach Mevissen in what looms as a dominant new-ball attack. Meanwhile, Barton will add plenty of talent to an already stacked batting line-up. Cameron West was Abers’ best run scorer with 455 while Craig Sheedy led the way with 20 wickets. With a stronger team than last season, you can expect Abers to be towards the pointy end of the season once again.
Prediction: 1st-4th
CRAIGIEBURN
Captain: Josh Eaton
Coach: Chris Laffan
Last season: 7th (5-1-7)
In:
Out: Dan English (retired)
Snapshot: For coach Chris Laffan, the goal of the 2022-23 season is a simple one for Craigieburn – “to consolidate its Senior Division status”. A couple of retirements has meant there will be opportunities for some of the club’s younger players which is very exciting according to Laffan. Nathan Pappin who scored 312 runs at an average of 34.67 and Adam Davies (307 at 25.58) will again be key to Craigieburn being able to put competitive totals on the board. Zac Orr will spearhead the attack. Laffan’s side will take a lot of lessons out of last season and if they can build on those, there’s no reason they can’t push further up the ladder this season.
Prediction: 7th-10th
DEER PARK
Captain: Ricky Suvada
Coach: Mick Andriadis
Last season: Division 1 premiers
In: Updul Bandara (Preston), Fawad Malook
Out: Nilochana Perera (Frankston Peninsula)
Snapshot: It’s a different challenge for the Lions in season 2022-23. After an undefeated season in Division 1, the Lions are looking to make their mark in the competition’s top division. The loss of Nilochana Perera is a big one although a couple of players who have “walked in off the street” could find themselves in First XI contention throughout the season. Hashan Wanasekara was the Lions’ top run scorer last season with 664 runs at an average of 47.43 and it will be interesting to see how he adapts to the step up in class. Upul Bandara’s arrival from Subbies club Preston will only strengthen the batting order and bowling group after he scored over 600 runs in two seasons and took 19 wickets at 21.84 last season. Yoshan Kumara will lead the attack once again after a brilliant season in Division 1. Coach Mick Andriadis has declared his side think “they can play finals and the depth has improved, there’s a lot more numbers around the place”.
Prediction: 4th-7th
DRUIDS
Coach: Shane Windridge
Last season: 3rd (8-2-3)
In: Buddika Hasaranga (East Keilor)
Out: Benjamin Doll (Grand United)
Snapshot: There has been little change at Druids throughout the off-season with the club determined to lock themselves in as a finals contender. Oliver Willett looms as a key figure in the batting line-up after scoring 257 runs last season. Brad McMaster and Leigh Wilson are other players to keep an eye on with the bat. After featuring on the Renegades Academy show, Nathan Johnson returns to lead the bowling attack along with Jarrod Parsons after the pair put together strong seasons last campaign. Ben Doll’s departure to coach his junior club is a blow to the bowling stocks. Buddika Hasaranga is a hard hitting batsman who has shown match winning ability throughout his career.
Prediction: 3rd-6th
HAIG FAWKNER
Coach: John Masci
Last season: Premiers
In: Nil.
Out: Nil.
Snapshot: Why change what works? That’s the message out of the defending premier heading into the new season. Haig Fawkner had four of the competition’s top-12 leading run scorers last season headlined by Jaspreet Bhatti who scored 555 runs at an average of 34.69 last season. Shakeel Ahmad and Charith Mendis also both scored over 400 runs throughout the course of last season. Amit Chaudhary was the premiers’ leading bowler with 23 wickets at 17.17. Despite major changes to their line-up for last season, there is no need for concern with talented youngsters including Sam Kosmak expected to feature more often this season. Chaudhary said the lack of two-day games last season meant the young guns weren’t fully able to show their ability. There’s no reason Haig Fawkner can’t be there on the final day of the season once again.
Prediction: 1st-4th
KEILOR
Captain: Nathan Beever
Coach: Duncan Harrison
Last season: 6th (7-1-5)
In: Jarryd Clements (Footscray)
Out: Daniel Stavris (coaching)
Snapshot: Duncan Harrison says his side wants to “keep trying to push up the ladder this season” after narrowly missing finals action in 2021-22. Keilor’s batting line-up will be boosted by the arrival of Jarryd Clements from Footscray, although, he will also help to fill the void of Daniel Stavris who has taken up a coaching opportunity at another club. Captain Nathan Beever looms as a key with the bat after putting himself among the league’s best last season. Keilor will also be hoping to see more of Miguel Cummins who took 27 wickets in 10 matches last season.
Prediction: 5th-8th
ST ALBANS
Captain: Geeth Alwis
Coach: Michael Else
Last season: 5th (8-0-5)
In: Sammika Ruwan Perera (Sri Lanka), Billy Whitford (UK), Lihan Dushan (returning)
Out: Simon Lambert (Hoppers Crossing)
Snapshot: Under new coach Michael Else, St Albans is hopeful of rising up the ladder this season after narrowly missing finals action in its finals campaign. The loss of star all-rounder Simon Lambert to Hoppers Crossing is a major blow and an area Else’s side must look to cover quickly when the season does start. Englishman Billy Whitford adds plenty of class in the middle order while Sammika Perera will be the club’s wicketkeeper and top order batsman. Newly appointed captain Geeth Alwis is the reigning Ray Paxino Medalist and is one of the most dominant all rounders in the competition. Arosh Jonda also looms as a key figure with bat and ball. Else says his side is “looking pretty good” but admits it is a long season and there’s still a lot to play out. If this team can gel, there’s no reason they can’t challenge the top teams in the competition and break into the top four.
Prediction: 3rd-6th
SUNSHINE UNITED
Captain: Tom O’Brien
Coach: Henry Popinski
Last season: 9th (1-0-12)
In: Hamza Ali (Greenvale Kangaroos), David Worthington (Lalor Stars), Matthew Sipala (Airport West), Daniel Raniolo (Footscray)
Out: Nil.
Snapshot: There’s been a changing of the guard at Sunshine United throughout the off-season. The Tigers have bolstered their depth with a handful of new arrivals which should hold them in good stead. Hamza Ali is arguably the biggest name recruit as he prepares to add some classy bowling and right-arm offies. Tom Duxson was his side’s best batsman last season after scoring 334 runs at an average of 37.11. Qaiser Qadeer was the Tigers’ leading bowler with 13 wickets. New coach Henry Popinski said it would be a “challenge” for his side to flip between one and two-day games but was excited to see what they can produce. “The best cricket is still ahead of this group,” he said.
Prediction: 7th-10th
WESTMEADOWS
Captain-coach: Donovan Pell
Last season: 8th (4-1-8)
In: Ryan Nankervis (Plenty Valley), Thilina Masmulla (Sunshine), Pathum De Mel (Huntly North Epsom), Babar Aziz, Jake De Gabrielle
Out: Chinthaka Jayasinghe (Yarraville Club), Tarek Moughanie (West Coburg)
Snapshot: There has been a big sense of change at the Warriors this season as they look to the future. Captain-coach Donovan Pell said the side was looking to reduce the age demographic with its team after a busy off-season which will see some fresh faces in the First XI. Among those will be wicketkeeper Ryan Nankervis from Plenty Valley who will add class behinds the stumps but can be just as devastating with the bat. Path De Mel arrives after a season in the Bendigo competition meanwhile Thilina Masmulla has made the move from Division 1. After winning four games last season, Westmeadows will be desperate to show big improvements especially with the introduction of two-day cricket. It’s important the Warriors’ are able to fill with the gaps left by Chinthaka Jayasinghe and Tarek Moughanie.
Prediction: 7th-10th
YARRAVILLE CLUB
Captain-coach: Mitch Johnstone
Last season: 4th (8-1-4), semi-final loss to Aberfeldie
In: Chinthaka Jayasinghe, Chris Martin (returning), Mathieson King (Burnside)
Out: Andrew Cullen (retired), Luke Destito (St Kilda), Adam Contessa (Pascoe Vale Hadfield), Justin Bramble (Footscray)
Snapshot: Youth is set to be a major factor in the Clubbers line-up this season as they once again look to push for a finals place. Spinner Jackson Martin, who made his First XI debut at 13 last season, is among those expected to feature heavily alongside Aaron Robson. Sri Lanka Chinthaka Jayasinghe is the club’s first player with international experience and provides some much needed fire power. Trent Lawford again looms as a key figure with bat and ball after a brilliant campaign last time out. With two of the top four run scorers (Bramble and Cullen) departing the club, there’s a hope the youngsters can step up. The youthful exuberance at Yarraville is going to be exciting to watch.
Prediction: 4th-7th
Delisted Don tops local footy’s most wanted list
A recently delisted Essendon key position player is expected to field plenty of offers from local footy clubs while a premiership Magpie is attracting interest after a move to Melbourne. Here are all the latest whispers from around the leagues.
Revealed: The 2025 Dowling Shield teams
Victorian Premier Cricket clubs are starting to reveal the future stars set to pull on their colours in the Dowling Shield. See every selected side.