Key players and expert predictions for every VTCA division grand final

It’s premiership weekend in the VTCA and we’ve run the rule over every division. See who the key players are and who we are predicting to win.

Who will VTCA premierships in 2024?

The VTCA season has reached its climax.

Premierships from Senior Division down to Division 5 will be handed out this weekend.

We’ve run the rule over every match to pick out the players most likely to produce winning performances.

With a clear weekend on the horizon it should be a good battle between bat and ball.

Plus, check out our expert predictions below.

Mohammed Alfar on the drive for Deer Park. Picture: Josh Chadwick

SENIOR DIVISION

DEER PARK v SYDENHAM-HILLSIDE

McLeod Reserve at 1pm, Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17

Last time: Round 10, Deer Park won by 115 runs at Hillside Reserve

Key Players

Keon Harding: The West Indian import had a slow start but has burst to life in recent weeks. Capable of turning a match with either bat or ball, he scored 78 in the last match against Sydenham-Hillside and bashed 92 not out in the semi-final against Aberfeldie. Only took one wicket in each match but showed his class with 5-46 against Sunshine United.

Anthony Alleyne: Comes into the decider in red-hot form. A matchwinning century in the semi-final against reigning premier Yarraville Club made it two tons in three rounds with a half-century in between, also against the Clubbers. Also dangerous with ball in hand, snaring 2-21 in the semi and 2-29 last time he faced Deer Park.

Verdict: The two newest clubs in Senior Division will play for a history-making premiership. Deer Park have been the benchmark all season, losing two games but Sydenham-Hillside have never been far behind, losing only three. The Lions were in the Storm’s shoes last season, reaching the decider in their first season in the top-flight, going down to Yarraville Club. That experience has seemingly driven them throughout this season and the addition of Daniel Sartori and Dean Russ has taken them to a new level. Meanwhile, there’s no “gotta lose one to win one” challenge for the Storm, they are chasing back-to-back flags. That said, it’s too hard to look past Deer Park’s weaponry and home ground advantage. Winner: Deer Park.

Sasindu De Silva in action for Airport West St Christopher's. Picture: Andy Brownbill

DIVISION 1

AIRPORT WEST ST CHRISTOPHER’S v HAIG FAWKNER

Etzel Street Reserve at 12.30pm, Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17

Last time: Match abandoned

Key players

Daniel Salpietro: The importance of the Eagles gun can’t be undersold with bat and ball. He’s scored 484 runs at 44 this season and has taken 18 wickets.

Asher Warnakulasooriya: A man in form heading into the final. Dominated his side’s semi-final victory with bat and ball and shapes as a match winner for Haig.

Verdict: With the previous meeting between the pair abandoned it’s difficult to get a read on how they stack up against each other. The clear difference is the Eagles dropped just one two-game day throughout the season while Haig had a 4-3 record. Both sides are capable of putting on big scores if their batters do get on top. This really is a tough one to pick. Winner: Airport West St Christopher’s

Altona Roosters’ batter Nathan Pobega. Picture: Andy Brownbill

DIVISION 2

ALTONA ROOSTERS v GRAND UNITED

Langshaw Reserve at 1pm, Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17

Last time: Round 7, Altona Roosters won by five wickets at Keith Miller Oval

Key Players

Matt Short: The Roosters all-rounder isn’t flashy, he just gets the job done for his club. Has only scored 48 runs this season but in his last six knocks has been not out in five to help deliver three wins out of four matches. However, it’s the ball that he does the most damage with, taking 19 wickets at 13.16 this season. Has taken at least one scalp in nine of 10 matches, including 1-23 and 1-35 in the two matches against Grand.

Leniko Boucher: The runaway leading run-scorer in the competition now has 648 at an average of 58.91. A matchwinning century in the semi-final win over West Newport, shows his temperament for the big stage. He also scored half-centuries in T20 matches against Senior Division powers Yarraville Club and Sydenham-Hillside. Experienced the ultimate high and ultimate low in the two matches against Roosters either side of Christmas, scoring a brilliant 108 not out in a Round 6 win but then a two-ball duck in the Round 7 loss.

Verdict: Altona Roosters may have finished on top but Grand United has been the best club in the competition all season. The Gorillas won two more games than their grand final rival but were awarded no points in two games due to disciplinary issues. They possess the competition’s leading run-scorer (Leniko Boucher) and wicket-taker (Sam Crea). However … there’s always a but … Altona is the only club to knock off Grand this season, winning by five wickets in their last meeting back in January. The Roosters are undefeated in 2024 with an outright victory over Keilor Park. They’ve won the tight games, which will hold them in good stead when things get tough in the decider. Grand United is eyeing back-to-back premierships and it’s hard to see it being denied. Winner: Grand United.

DIVISION 3

WILLIAMSTOWN IMPERIALS v MARIBYRNONG PARK ST MARY’S

Fearon Reserve, Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17

Last time: Imperials won by seven runs

Key Players

Tom Burton: Imperials import has been brilliant this season emerging as one of the competition’s leading all-rounders. Has scored 669 runs at 55.75 and taken 19 wickets at 11.47. Surely must be in league medal contention.

Anthony De Silva: Put it simply, the spinner has ridiculous numbers this season. He took five wickets the last time these two sides met.

Verdict: If the bowlers get on top like they did when these sides last met, we could be in for a low scoring contest. Imperials made just 108 before rolling the Lions for 99. If that does happen, an outright result could be a potential result heading into Sunday. Despite what happened last time, both teams are capable of putting big scores on the board. Winner: Maribyrnong Park St Mary’s

DIVISION 4

MOONEE VALLEY v GELLIBRAND

Ormond Park at 1pm, Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17

Last time: Round 9, Moonee Valley won by one wicket at Digman Reserve

Key Players

Ruwan Jayaweera: One of the leading wicket-takers in the entire VTCA with 40 poles at an average of 11.38. Has only gone wicketless in an innings once and that was the second innings of a game the Valleys had already won. Took three five-fors this season, with a best of 6-47 against Bellbridge. Took 1-36 in the last meeting with Gellibrand and 1-30 in the semi-final against Roxburgh Park so will be keen for a big showing in the big dance.

Jacob Macdonald: One of only two players to score more than 600 runs in Division 4 this season, lighting up the competition with 602 at an average of 66.89. In red-hot form entering the grand final with four consecutive half-centuries under his belt, including a 50 in the semi-final win over Point Cook Centrals. Only managed 23 in the last meeting with Moonee Valley so will be keen to turn the tables this weekend.

Verdict: The two standout teams in the competition this season. The Valleys will be looking to erase the memory of last season when it went down to Maribyrnong Park St Mary’s in the grand final after losing just one game all season. However, a look at the season stats might suggest they’re in trouble again. Gellibrand has scored more than 400 runs more across the year, lost fewer wickets and conceded fewer runs. Moonee Valley has taken 16 more wickets. Time will tell. Winner: Gellibrand

DIVISION 5

SEABROOK v SUNSHINE YCW

Bruce Comben Reserve at 1pm, Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17

Last time: Game abandoned

Key Players

Amila Mendis: A dominant all-rounder throughout the season for Seabrook. Mendis has scored over 300 runs and taken 56 wickets at an average of just 6.95.

Heshan Umendra: Prolific with the bat and ball throughout the season scoring 327 runs at 32.7 and taking 33 wickets at 8.7. A real match winner.

Verdict: Although the last game didn’t finish, it was clear that there wasn’t much between the two sides. And you’d expect it to be a very similar story this weekend in what will be near perfect conditions. The performances of the two previously mentioned players might dictate which way this goes. Winner: Sunshine YCW