VTCA club Druids secure Nathan Johnson and Andrew Brennan

Druids’ fast-bowling stocks have received a sizeable boost as the club prepares to tackle the Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s elite in 2019-20.

Nathan Johnson bends his back for Greenvale Kangaroos. Picture: Hamish Blair

Druids’ fast-bowling stocks have received a sizeable boost as the club prepares to tackle the Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s elite in 2019-20.

Nathan Johnson and Andrew Brennan have crossed from Premier Cricket outfit Greenvale Kangaroos as the West Footscray club looks to build for the future.

Druids will compete in Senior Division next season after claiming the Division 1 West flag.

The experienced Sam Thurston was the club’s spearhead last summer, sending down 207 overs for 41 wickets at 12.3 apiece.

Druids celebrate their VTCA Division 1 West premiership. Picture: Facebook

“It’s fantastic. We obviously identified that we needed a bit of youth in the team,” First XI captain Leigh Wilson said.

“We’ve got a few guys getting a bit long in the tooth — myself, Shane (Windridge) and Jared (Andrews) and a few others — so an injection of youth will give us a good springboard for the season ahead.

“We targeted a couple of new-ball bowlers.

“Last season we thought we were pretty good in the spin department, but with a couple of older guys, like myself and Indika (Gallage), starting to get towards the end of it and then Sam bowled a lot of overs last year, so we can’t continue to rely on him to do that.”

Johnson has spent the past three seasons at the Kangaroos after a stint with Werribee Centrals.

The 23-year-old has 17 First XI wickets to his name, including Geelong’s Tim Ludeman and Footscray pair Dean Russ and Travis Dean.

Work and study commitments have forced Brennan to return to Druids. He made his top-grade debut for Greenvale in the final round of 2018-19.

“We definitely needed a strike bowler, so it’s fantastic Nathan has jumped on board,” Wilson said.

“He’s a pretty imposing figure. He’s about 6 foot 5 or 6 and bowls with reasonable pace and does a bit with it as well.

“I think last season he was hampered a bit by injury. He broke his ankle playing footy, so he had a delayed start to the year.

“But he’s definitely got a fair bit of talent and we’re pretty excited to have someone of his calibre on board. Hopefully he will be with us for a few years.”

Druids will also look to boost their batting before the start of the season, with Wilson expecting the club to make “one more signing”.

Doutta Stars, Strathmore, Keilor, Sunshine United, St Albans, Yarraville Club and Haig Fawkner will also contest Senior Division next season.