VTCA: Seddon locks in Liam Braithwaite as captain-coach for 2020-21
Victorian Turf Cricket Association club Seddon has appointed its new captain-coach for next season and secured a key recruit as it targets a return to the top flight.
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Seddon has turned to a homegrown talent to lead it in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association this summer.
Liam Braithwaite has taken over as captain-coach at the Dockers as the club eyes a return to the top flight.
The 23-year-old, who has been involved Seddon for 13 years, guided the First XI to finals last season as skipper after it was relegated from Senior Division following the 2018-19 campaign.
The Dockers will contest a newly-formed 12-team Division 1 competition this summer and Braithwaite said a return to Senior Division was “definitely the goal”.
“That’s the plan,” Braithwaite said.
“Obviously it will be pretty strong competition this year. We’re pretty uncertain with how the season will pan out (because of the coronavirus pandemic), but having a couple of extra teams in there is going to make it tricky.
“I’m pretty excited about it. I’ve sort of being thinking about it after taking on the captaincy last year and it was put to me at the end of the season.
“Obviously I played juniors there and hopefully I can help the club progress.”
Seddon has secured the services of South African all-rounder Kyle Scheepers.
Scheepers made 425 runs at 35.4 for Carlton’s Second XI last season, plundering 100 against Melbourne University.
Sri Lankan pair Damith Priyadarshana (425 runs and 13 wickets last season) and Duleeka Thisakuttige (323 runs and 11 wickets) have also re-signed “for another couple of years”.
Paceman Kevin McLean, who collected 21 wickets at 17.6 apiece last season, is the only departure of note.
“We want to open the invitation to footy players who have missed out on the footy season and just want to get out and play with a few mates. We’re hoping we can bring that to the club this year,” Braithwaite said.
“We’re always looking for quality bowlers in the ones.
“After losing Kevin, there’s big shoes to fill. An opening bower would be nice, but in the current circumstances (it’s difficult).”
The Dockers will be looking for a better start than 2019-20 after failing to score a victory until Round 5.
Their next loss came in the final round of the home-and-away season before they exited the flag race with a semi-final defeat to eventual premier Aberfeldie.
“I think we know we have the group to get through to the finals,” Braithwaite said.
“But we need to bring that energy. Last season we started off poorly.
“With the team mostly staying the same, I think that will go a long way.”
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