Premier Cricket: Carlton has added to its already pulsating list

Carlton felt it needed a specific type of player to improve its list and is confident its latest recruit from a Premier Cricket rival fits the mould.

Coming off a disappointing finish to the Premier Cricket season, competition powerhouse Carlton is confident it has found the perfect player to complement an already pulsating list.

Michael Archer – who captured 7-63 in Greenvale’s final round win over Kingston Hawthorn – has traded in the royal blue for the navy blue, moving from the Roos to the Blues for the 2023-24 season.

And while the leg-spinner has a proven record in the top flight, Carlton isn’t viewing Archer as the quick fix to redeem its grand final defeat.

Instead hoping he can play a role when called upon while also helping progress the development of a pair of promising young spinners.

“He’s played a fair bit First XI cricket and has taken a bag, I know he took 7-for last year in the Firsts,” Carlton captain-coach Evan Gulbis said.

“We have lost Matthew Culvenor in the off-season as our leading leg-spinner, so to have Michael come in and educate those guys will be great.

“Lucas Brasher played First XI last year, Henry Edwards played Vic 17s, so he will help educate those guys through their journey as well, which is really important.”

Michael Archer after his 7-63.

Carlton players during the Premier Cricket Grand Final. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Archer bowled well in the Roos’ win over the Blues in 2021-22 but was on Carlton’s radar well before then.

It was a spell that wouldn’t catch the eye of most that stuck in Carlton’s mind, as Archer worked through a small total at his back and unhelpful conditions to prove a handful to even some of the competition‘s most destructive batters.

“We saw Michael a couple of years ago playing for Greenvale and thought he had a really cool skillset,” Gulbis said.

“He can spin the ball both ways, is quite accurate and we were just really impressed by him – especially playing at a club that hasn’t had a lot of success over the past few seasons.

“I remember we weren’t chasing a lot in a one-day game, he had a bat pad in and he was bowling to myself and Brayden Stepien.

“Although the figures don’t show it, he would’ve beaten the bat three or four times an over which – on a flat wicket at Carlton – is not easy to do.

“If you’re bowling well enough in a one-day game to have a bat pad in, I think it shows you have some pretty cool skill.

“He adds to our spin stocks to go with Eddy O’Sullivan and Tom Smyth, we have some nice young spinners that are coming through as well that he will help develop.

“Hopefully if he gets an opportunity in our highest grade, he takes that with both hands.”

Clever bowler Charlie Ross has also returned to Princes Park and will likely captain the Second XI.