VSDCA: Leading batter Luke Reid appointed captain of Yarraville

The Eagles will have a new captain and a bunch of fresh faces when they begin the Victorian Subbies season.

Luke Reid will captain Yarraville this season. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Yarraville will have a new captain this season, with key batter Luke Reid taking the reins.

Reid replaces Matt Grose, who has skippered the Eagles for the past three seasons.

Grose will remain as playing-coach.

“It felt like it was a good time to give someone else an opportunity to lead the team,” Grose said.

“And also for me to take a step back.

“It’s a role I really enjoyed but I just wanted to give others an opportunity to lead and I think Luke will do a great job.”

Reid peeled off 363 runs, at 33, last season and has scored four half centuries for the Eagles in the past two seasons, including a defiant 74 against Werribee in a semi-final in 2019-20.

He also kept wickets in some games last season but Aidan Salvado will have the gloves all season in ‘21-22.

Yarraville, after finishing 10th last season, has lost several key players and will continue to give opportunities to young players.

Josh Hahnel will play Premier Cricket this season. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Outstanding batter Josh Hahnell, who plundered 545 runs last season, has gone to play Premier Cricket with Melbourne Uni.

“It’s something he was well and truly ready for after a couple of years dominating at First XI level,” Grose said.

Yarraville will also be without all-rounder Sam Shearer, who is not playing due to work commitments, and opening bowler Mitchell Cross, who is taking a season off.

Grose said Yarraville tried to recruit but without luck.

“Unfortunately we haven’t had a big name recruit fall in our lap,” he said.

“We’re going to have some good young kids come through who have been key members of the Second XI in the last couple of years and they will have opportunities in the First XI, and they’re all going to be very comfortable with the level, I’m very sure of that,” Grose said.

Jamie Tapper on the drive last season. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Players to watch for Yarraville this season include teenage opening bowler Zachary Koch, who started out in the thirds last season but rose through the ranks to make his First XI debut in Round 11 against Brunswick, taking three wickets in his opening spell.

Impressive young batter Josh Devlin scored a tick under 300 runs in the seconds last season and can expect to get a First XI debut at some stage this season.

So, too, can Max Pritchard, a promising all-rounder.

“He’s grown stronger, taller and more athletic in the off season and he will play a lot of First XI cricket this year,’’ Grose said of Pritchard.

“I’d expect him to either open the bowling or bowl first change, and he’s really good in the field as well.’’

Both Devlin and Pritchard were members of the Eagles’ Under 17 side that played off in the grand final last season.

Yarraville coach Matthew Grose. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Grose said it was an exciting time at Yarraville with promising players making their way.

“We’re going in with no expectations on where we expect to finish, be it high or low,’’ he said.

“We just want to develop these young players in the group and see how far we can go.

“We’ll be looking to play a disciplined brand of cricket with the kids in the side.

“We’re under no illusions because we know the south group is strong.

“You look at Werribee, they’ve only got stronger and they won the premiership last year.

We’re going to have some really good opposition but at the same time we’ve got brilliant young kids coming through and they’re going to stand up and get good opportunity.’’

The Eagles visit Ormond in Round 1 and host Melton in Round 2.