VSDCA: New Altona coach Shane Jones outlines 2020-21 expectations
Altona expects to be competing at the pointy end of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association season, and it is not difficult to see why with the A’s assembling an impressive line-up.
North West
Don't miss out on the headlines from North West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Premiership contender Altona will boast one of the leading batting line-ups in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association this summer.
With the experienced Shane Jones returning to the club as coach after a stint at Premier Cricket outfit Footscray, the A’s are not short on talent.
Star all-rounder James Grubb posted 562 runs last season and was well-supported by Greg Sheehan (437), skipper Adam Yates (347), Dylan Appleby (321), Daniel MacKenzie (288) and David Kinsella (277).
Jones has spent the last two seasons at Footscray and captained its Second XI in 2019-20, punching out 445 runs at 37.08 with a best of 66 not out.
Altona was hammered by rival Williamstown in the South-East group semi-finals last season, and Jones said expectations remained high.
“The guys did really, really well last year. I kept a close eye on them … I’m pretty excited about coming back this year and coaching the club,” Jones said.
“We’ve managed to hold on to all of our First XI team basically.
“I played there for six years previously and we’ve always had lofty expectations for the club.
“I’ll be looking to strengthen the lower grades also. We’ll be aiming to get as many teams in the finals as possible, so we’ve added some depth into our lower grades as well, a bit more experience, so hopefully that strengthens them.”
The A’s also have a capable bowling group, with Shannon Clarke (28 wickets), Yates (28) and Grubb (26) firing last summer and all averaging below 20.
The trio featured in the competition’s top-eight wicket-takers.
Jones said Altona was “exploring our options” to find a wicketkeeper, with the coronavirus crisis prolonging its search.
“Things have obviously been delayed the last six or eight weeks … hopefully if we can get someone who can slot in not only as a player but into the culture of our club, that would be great,” Jones said.
Grubb will again be a key performer for the A’s this season after establishing himself as one of the top players in the VSDCA.
The 24-year-old returned to the club in 2019-20 after three years with Footscray and was outstanding with bat and ball, plundering 104 and snaring 4-43 in his side’s Round 7 fixture against Hoppers Crossing.
He has also been appointed as an assistant coach for the coming season.
“He just believes in his game now and understands his game a lot better,” Jones said.
“He’s going to be a crucial part of the team and obviously taking over a coaching role.”
Jones has replaced Craig Swan, who has also taken on an assistant coaching role.
Aaron Whear, who played more than 200 games for Preston and coached Point Cook, has also joined the coaching team.
“It was a different role last year, a development role captaining the seconds at Footscray, and also helping the off-spinners out at Premier level,” Jones said.
“I really enjoyed it, but family reasons is why I needed to step away, it was fairly time consuming.
“But I loved every minute of it and got a few runs, which is always good.
“But I’m back at the club I was at for a long time, I’ve got a lot of friends here and hopefully can build on what ‘Swanny’ has built in the last couple of years.”
MORE LEADER CRICKET NEWS
ONE-DAYERS TO FILL VICTORIAN CRICKET FIXTURES
AVONDALE HEIGHTS’ VTCA RETURN SKITTLED
NEW COACH, LEGEND RETURNS TO PREMIER CHAMPS