VTCA 2018-19: Tullamarine confident of finals push
TULLAMARINE is juggling its ambition to secure a VTCA finals return with a desire to set the foundations for long-term success.
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TULLAMARINE is juggling its ambition to secure a VTCA finals return with a desire to set the foundations for long-term success under first-year coach Buddhika Mendis.
The Demons were relegated from Senior Division at the end of 2017-18 after finishing more than 20 points adrift at the bottom of the ladder.
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Mendis, a Sri Lankan who represented Singapore’s national cricket team, joined Tullamarine from BHRDCA club Yarraleen during the off-season.
He said there had been “a lot of changes” at the club, but added the Demons were confident they would provide a stern test for the premiership aspirants in Division 1 West.
“This year, after the bad season they had last year, the focus has been to build a team for the future,” Mendis said.
“We just want to be competitive with every game we play.”
Mendis took heart from Tullamarine’s one-wicket loss to perennial contender Aberfeldie, while the Demons secured the first win of his tenure in Round 3 against Laverton.
The club will face a daunting chase on Saturday after being set 6-317 by Airport West St Christophers.
“There’s about seven new faces in the ones from the previous year, so it’s a very new team,” Mendis said.
“We are in the midst of getting things right and there will be some players who will come in.”
Opening bowlers Chris Kenney and David Zahorodni again shape as key players for Tullamarine, while Mendis expects spinner Manoj Boteju and fellow bowler Shane Siebel to figure prominently.
“They are the senior guys and they are the ones that are helping these new players to settle in,” Mendis said.
“They will always be key players.”
Mendis said young players such as Dylan Watts and Tim Matson would be given opportunities to stake their claims in the First XI.
“They will be very good players in the future,” he said.
“It’s important to give those youngsters a go and build for the future as well.”
Siebel (3-57) was the Demons’ multiple wicket-taker on day one against the West Saints.
Elsewhere, Greenvale Kangaroos (106) surrendered first-innings points on the opening day of their clash with Laverton.
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