VTCA 2018-19: Aberfeldie’s extra experience key to bid for elusive flag in Division 1 West
Perennial contender Aberfeldie hopes its recruiting efforts will pay dividends at the business end of the VTCA season as it seeks to end its run of outs in finals.
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Perennial contender Aberfeldie hopes its recruiting efforts will pay dividends at the business end of the VTCA season as it seeks to end its run of outs in finals.
The club’s recruits for 2018-19 were headlined by Williamstown champion Craig Sheedy, who spent 15 years in Premier Cricket with Carlton and Essendon.
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Sri Lankan spinner Sohan Boralessa was the other key addition to the team which finished fifth last season after being bundled out in a semi-final the previous summer.
Aberfeldie captain-coach Kieren Gray lauded the impact of Sheedy and Boralessa, who has played 72 first-class matches, in their first season with the club.
“In the off-season we sat down and spoke about what we lacked the last couple of years,” he said.
“Getting close, losing semis and missing out last year. We really targeted some experienced guys that have won flags in the past and played at a higher level.”
Boralessa has been Abers’ leading wicket-taker with 20 scalps to Round 10 and was also a standout contributor in the VTCA Twenty20 competition.
Sheedy has showcased his class with bat and ball, taking 13 wickets and compiling 235 runs in Division 1 West.
The efforts of the experienced pair have helped Aberfeldie into finals contention.
“The bowling has been pretty good most of the season,” Gray said.
“I can’t really fault too much of that. It’s just batting.
“Lots of guys have been getting starts without going on. It’s just about the top six converting their starts and that should give the bowlers a bit more to defend.”
Abers were dismissed for under 100 for the second match running on Saturday, crashing to a shock loss against seventh-placed Greenvale Kangaroos.
The Roos only managed 103 but routed Aberfeldie for 89 to record a 14-run victory.
Boralessa took 5-13 and Sheedy finished with 3-20.
“Druids are pushing away a little bit, but Tullamarine, Airport West and Altona North are right up there with us at the moment as well,” Gray said.
Aberfeldie travels to Deer Park in Round 11, which starts on Saturday.
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