Dromana hops into MPCA’s top flight with third premiership in six seasons

Dromana has jumped from “the bottom feeders in subbies” to the Mornington Peninsula’s top flight with three flags in six years. Director of Cricket Bobby Wilson says the Hoppers aren't done just yet.

Dromana MPCA

Dromana Director of Cricket Bobby Wilson hopes the weekend’s MPCA Peninsula premiership isn’t the end of the Hoppers’ rattling revival.

After breaking its 48-year premiership drought in 2018-19, Dromana has toasted to two more flags since, the most recent being Sunday’s 99-run win over Mt Eliza.

The jump into Provincial is the first time the Hoppers have rubbed shoulders with the competition’s best in over 50 years.

“I think it’s 1972-73 since we were last in Provincial, so last night was great to see guys that have been at the club 30, 40 years see it for the first time,” Wilson said.

“10, 12 years ago they were the bottom feeders in subbies, they got out of subbies with nearly half of the team that played in this flag.

“I think it’s four that have played in all three and worked their way up.

“A lot of the chat last night was: ‘we want to compete, we haven’t reached the goal yet, we haven’t filled the cup, we want to play finals in Provincial’.”

The Hoppers are premiers once again.

The Hoppers capped off their sensational season, which netted just four losses, with a complete display.

Dashing opener Beau Anthony got his side off to a flying start with a run-a-ball 41 before Jack Fowler steered the Hoppers from 6-122 to 9-211.

Wilson said Fowler was “measured” in the way he built his innings.

Dromana made a bold declaration three overs before stumps and Wilson thought it unsettled the Mounties.

“They threw it (the order) around and the two Sri Lankan openers didn’t open, I thought that messed them up a little bit in how they go about building an innings,” he said.

“On the Sunday we just squeezed them from the start and then from there they struggled to score.”

Fowler followed up with the ball (3-20 off 14) and was well supported by brother Sam (2-18 off 14) and Zacc Klan (4-20 off 11.1).

Ex-Frankston Peninsula bowler Jack Fowler starred for Dromana. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Wilson – now a five-time premiership player – expects Daniel Lanati and Dale Irving (six flags each) to stick around as the Hoppers “get to work” on a Provincial tilt.

“We’ve got to get to work straight away on recruiting and I think we’re going to keep our group, which is good,” he said.

“We’ll look to add some pieces and build our depth because it’s not just about the ones, it’s about the whole club.

“The twos now have to play against Sorrento, POB and all that, so we have to keep building.

“We had a really positive club response last night, a few want to come back and a few footballers want to chuck the pads on.

“I am really confident we can build our list and be competitive next year.”

Dromana’s premiership side: Sam Fowler (captain), Arthur McKenzie, Beau Anthony, Bobby Wilson, Chris Vervoorst, Dale Irving, Daniel Lanati, Jack Fowler, Jye Voelkl, Kierran Voelkl and Zacc Klan