VTCA: Every off-season signing so far
Three VTCA clubs have made big moves in recent days to bolster their premiership chances for next season. Check out all the moves from across the association.
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A busy off-season is well underway for clubs of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
Ex-Premier Cricket stars have arrived, while some of the biggest names in the competition have switched clubs.
There’s also new coaches to lead clubs into the 2023-24 season.
Here’s a wrap of all the big moves so far.
SENIOR DIVISION
YARRAVILLE CLUB
Nathan Johnson
The reigning VTCA Senior Division premier secured one of the competition‘s most feared paceman from rivals Druids. Johnson has Premier Cricket experience at Greenvale Kangaroos and was a part of the Melbourne Renegades’ Recruit series, reaching the final three contestants. The big quick had a breakout 2022-23, snaring 27 wickets at an average of 16.04, ranked fourth in the home-and-away season.
Michael Hill
Clubbers captain-coach Mitch Johnson lures his old Essendon skipper to Hansen Reserve for 2023-24. Hill was one of the finest batsmen in Premier Cricket for the last 20 years, racking up 7194 runs for Melbourne and Essendon and scoring 10 centuries. He played First Class cricket for Victoria and Tasmania and captained Australia‘s Under-19s.
DRUIDS
Charith Mendis
The all-rounder joins Druids from Senior Division rival Haig Fawkner where he has proven himself a dangerous spinner and strong middle-order bat. Mendis ranked in the top 40 for both runs and wickets this season, hitting 229 runs at an average of 25 – ranked fifth at the club – and snared 13 wickets at 18.54 – ranked 3rd at Haig. Was the standout in Haig‘s semi-final loss to Deer Park, hitting a fighting 47 and taking 5-60.
Dhanushka Dharmasiri
The 2019-20 club champion returns to Shorten Reserve after playing for East Keilor this season. The damaging bat smashed 497 runs – ranked second in Division 3 – at an average of 38.23 and one century to earn Team of the Year honours. In Dharmasiri‘s last stint with Druids, in 2019-20, he scored 440 runs to help the First XI play Senior Division finals for the first time in club history.
ABERFELDIE
Kieren Gray
Returning to the club from Williamstown CYMS where he took out the batting and club champion awards last season. Gray is a former premiership player and coach.
Ravi Karunaratne
A former club champion who returns after spending time overseas playing across a variety of competitions.
ST ALBANS
Nils Priestley
Englishman Nils Priestley will make the move to Melbourne’s western suburbs for the summer. In the last two seasons, he has scored over 1200 runs and taken over 60 wickets for Swarkstone in the Derbyshire Premier League.
Shafraz Mohammed
Footscray United’s back-to-back premiership winning captain-coach will take the reins at the Saints in 2023-24. In three years Mohammed helped the Bulldogs to three consecutive grand finals, winning the Division 3 flag in 2021-22 and backing it up with the Division 2 title this season. Part of a dominant United attack, Mohammed snared 24 wickets last season at 14.08 after 30 the season before.
Ashen Abeykoon
Footscray United teammate Abeykoon will be joining Mohammed at Kings Park. The paceman has been one of the VTCA’s most deadly wicket-takers in recent seasons, earning two premierships, two Team of the Year nods, Division 3 leading wicket-taker in 2021-22 (40 wickets) and a pair of club champion awards.
Akila Ishanka
Ishanka arrives from St Andrews with an impressive resume. At his previous club, he was a three-time champion player. He has also earned selection in the VTCA Team of the Year five times.
SYDENHAM-HILLSIDE
Warren Hackney
The Storm great takes the coaching reins for the club’s historic maiden voyage in Senior Division. Hackney takes the top job after back-to-back premiership coach Geoff Pretty moved on to join VSDCA club Brunswick. The star batsman retired last season as the club’s all-time leading First XI run-scorer, five-time premiership player and long-time captain, and many other club accolades.
DIVISION 1
ALTONA NORTH
James Wild
Altona North has made one of the biggest signings of the off-season so far with James Wild arriving from Subbies powerhouse Ormond. Last season, Wild hit 368 runs and took 22 wickets. Before his time in the Sub-District competition, Wild played his cricket with Prahran.
Rigg appointed as coach
Murray Rigg will return to Altona North next season after being appointed to the head coaching role. The former Ormond man will replace Ian Denny who will remain with the club in a chairman of selectors role. Rigg played with North during the 2017-18 season.
WESTMEADOWS
Geeth Alwis
One of the biggest names in the VTCA, Alwis joins a Warriors team looking to bounce back immediately after relegation this season. The star all-rounder had been a key player for St Albans for the past nine seasons, winning a number of awards. Most notably he was crowned the Senior Division Paxino Medallist in 2021-22 after 385 runs and 21 wickets, won the McNamara Medal for Division 2 Player of the Year in 2015-16, is a five-time Senior Division Team of the Year honoree, five-time club champion. This season he hit 360 runs at 30.00 and took 16 wickets at 24.81.
DIVISION 2
TULLAMARINE
David Scott
After captaining Tullamarine for the last two seasons, Scott has elected to take on the role of captain-coach.
DIVISION 3
PASCOE VALE HADFIELD
Noman Safdar
The fast bowler returns to the club after a season with Box Hill in the VSDCA. Last season, he played just six matches taking 11 wickets at an average of 10.64. “Noman’s talent as an opening fast bowler will bring more experience and fire power to our bowling attack,” the club said.
DIVISION 5
FOOTSCRAY ANGLISS
Max Buck
As it aims to bounce back from grand final heartbreak, Footscray Angliss has launched a statement of intent with the signing of former Spotswood bowler Max Buck. The left arm quick arrives at the club after a year off.
BURNSIDE SPRINGS UNITED
Shohan Rangika
Rangika arrives from Senior Division outfit Craigieburn and will play a valuable role as an all-rounder. Known to be an aggressive batsman and off-spin bowler.
Malith Gamage Don
An all-rounder who could feature in the middle order for the VTCA’s newest club.
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