VTCA 2020-21: Yarraville Club loses star Will Sheridan
Powerhouse Yarraville Club is searching for a replacement for one of its stars ahead of the 2020-21 VTCA Senior Division season.
North West
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Yarraville Club will be without one of the leading players in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association this summer.
Star all-rounder Will Sheridan has departed, owing to work and family commitments.
The assistant coach, who represented Victoria 28 times across the Sheffield Shield and one-day domestic competitions, has hammered 1749 runs for the Clubbers in the past four Senior Division seasons to go with 80 wickets.
Sheridan underlined his class with a match-winning 112 not out in Yarraville Club’s grand final triumph over Doutta Stars in 2017-18.
Last season he returned 492 runs at 49.2 and 21 wickets at 16.8 apiece.
“We would have loved to have Will on board this year,” Clubbers captain-coach Mitch Johnstone said.
“We understand the reasons he can’t commit and obviously I’m new to the club, but it’s been building for some time around his work commitments and a young family. They’ve got to take precedence.
“Will just thought to commit to cricket might be a bridge too far with some things he’s got going from a work perspective and a second child on the way.
“He was pretty torn about it, but he believes he’s doing the right thing for the club, for himself and his family more importantly.”
Johnstone, who is preparing for his first season at the helm, said the club was searching for a replacement for Sheridan.
But it is in a race against time to land a quality performer.
“If that doesn’t eventuate, it’s just a matter of backing what we have,” Johnstone said.
“We’ve got some good young players, such as Connor Poulton and Allister Powell, who can continue progressing.
“Hopefully over the next couple of weeks we can bring someone in, but knowing that it’s already October, blokes would have generally committed to something by now.
“We’re not holding our breath, but we’ll certainly make a few inquiries.”
Ex-skipper Andrew Cullen, Emmett Bronca and Adam Contessa also called time on their distinguished careers after last season, while former coach Justin Baker departed after the 2018-19 campaign.
It marks a changing of the guard for Yarraville Club, but Johnstone said it remained confident of a strong showing.
The Clubbers boast an enviable bowling attack featuring Trent Lawford, Ash Sweet, James Damjanovski, Johnstone and the up-and-coming Luke Destito.
“From a bowling perspective, we still run pretty deep,” Johnstone said.
“It just means someone like Luke Destito really comes in now as one of those five regular options looking to bowl their full quota (of overs) every week.
“Our major thing to address is just that batting depth and someone who can make big scores … batting in the top three.”
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