Premier Cricket: Coach Matthew Love says ‘big opportunity’ awaits Greenvale Kangaroos recruits

GREENVALE Kangaroos new coach Matthew Love hopes the “big opportunity” to build on the club’s formative years will help attract recruits this off-season.

Matthew Love goes on the attack during his days at Yarraville. Picture: Hamish Blair

GREENVALE Kangaroos new coach Matthew Love hopes the “big opportunity” to build on the club’s formative years will help attract recruits this off-season.

The Roos have struggled to make an impression since their entry to Premier Cricket as a result of the merger between Greenvale and North Melbourne in 2013 and finished 18th last summer.

Greenvale Kangaroos new Premier Cricket coach Matthew Love. Picture: Supplied.

Cricket Victoria declared in February it would be patient with the Roos, who announced former North Melbourne and Footscray batsman Love as their new coach earlier this month.

Love said his first priority would be player retention, but acknowledged the club needed to add “some bona fide First XI players” as it seeks to climb the First XI ladder.

“Initially that’s the great challenge of it,” he said.

“Going to a club that has struggled to put the amount of wins on the board that they would have liked.

“From my point of view, I will be going in there with a clean slate and hoping to firstly retain and get to know the group of players that are already there. (Then) just continuing to develop the young players out there to hopefully get us some winning performances and get that positive attitude going.”

Batsman Ryan Stingel and paceman Jordan Buckingham emerged as two talents of the future in 2017-18, while skipper Kyle Adams took 20 wickets and spinning all-rounder James Rosewarne enjoyed a breakout campaign.

Ryan Stingel is one of Greenvale’s brightest young talents. Picture: Arj Giese

“I hope to bring a positive vibe around the place,” Love said.

“Personally I am still learning my own coaching philosophies (but) it will just be great to work with them.”

Love has had two years coaching experience with Sub-District club Yarraville and was one of the competition’s premier batsmen.

He said Greenvale would welcome players “looking to play at a higher level”.

“It’s always tough trying to recruit players from other clubs,” he said.

“We think there’s a big opportunity for anyone coming across to help steer the club in the right direction.”

Love will be a playing coach, adding it would be a “personal challenge” for him to carry his form from two prolific Sub-District seasons back to Premier level.

The top-order batsman compiled 1709 runs for Yarraville in the past two summers.