MPCA 2019-20: Dromana set to make impact in District while Ballam Park ready for battle
Clubs have recruited well ahead of the MPCA District and Sub District seasons. Here are the ins and outs, coaches and captains.
South East
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Delacombe Park, Hastings and Rosebud will start the MPCA District season as leading contenders.
But they can expect strong competition from a hungry Carrum, Seaford Tigers and the newly promoted Dromana.
In Sub District, Ballam Park is back after a season in A grade.
The sides expected to challenge for the title include Tootgarook, Boneo, Balnarring, Frankston YCW and Tyabb.
Let the fun begin!
DISTRICT
DROMANA
Coach: Chris Robson.
Captain: Ben Brittain.
Ins: Ben Brittain (Baxter), Liam Webb (Altofts, UK), Dewayne Bowden.
Out: Mark Whitehead (retired).
Players to watch: Kierran Voelkl, Zacc Klan, Jye Voelkl, Dewayne Bowden.
Comment: After storming to premiership glory in Sub District last season, the Hoppers have added key recruits. And Kierran Voelkl is coming off a run-filled winter in Darwin.
HASTINGS
Coach: Luke Hewitt.
Captain: Rob Hearn.
Ins: Jonny Rumbold (Wonthaggi), Dinushka Perera (Sri Lanka), Dylan Ryan (returning).
Out: Mitch Floyd (Sale City).
Players to watch: Tom Finn, Patrick Wilson, Shavidu Amarasinghe.
Comment: Semi-finalists last season, the Blues will field a strong, well-balanced side capable of being a contender.
DELACOMBE PARK
Captain-coach: Ricky Ramsdale.
Ins: Jeremy Weare (Pines), Rhys Gourel De Saint Pern (Mt Eliza).
Outs: Nil.
Players to watch: Jonny Guthrie, Flynn Walker, Zac Noble.
Comment: The Parkers won 11 games to be minor premiers last season. But a stinging batting collapse in a semi-final should make them hungry this season.
MT MARTHA
Coach: Panel of specialists.
Captain: Rhys Whitling.
Ins: Nil.
Outs: Mitch Darville (Red Hill), Michael Calvin (Rosebud), Ryan Godwin (Rosebud), Mitchell Davies (Tyabb), Kane Hawkins (Flinders), Michael Keating (Flinders).
Players to watch: Brett Wilkinson, Max McKenzie, Simon Street.
Comment: The Reds face a big challenge after losing a heap of good players.
SEAFORD TIGERS
Coach: Matt Roach.
Captain: David James.
Ins: Nil.
Outs: David Roach (Ballam Park).
Players to watch: Brayden Roscoe (wk/bat), Jake Harrington (bat/bowler), Max Watters (bowler).
Comment: The Tigers will rely on proven players Roach, James and Mills and hope for continued improvement from a talented young crop of players.
CARRUM
Coach: Corey Hand.
Captain: Jake D’Atri.
Ins: Shaun Foster (Main Ridge), Campbell Ak (Dingley).
Outs: Wyll Stanway, Josh Shaw (UK).
Players to watch: Cory Foster, Rory Brown, Corey Hand.
Comment: The Lions boast several match winners and will be hungry after missing finals last season.
ROSEBUD
Captain-coach: Billy Quigley.
Assistant coach: Patrick Nagel.
Development Coach: Jason Wicks.
In: Michael Clavin, Ryan Godwin (Mt Martha).
Out: Geoff Glaum (Rye).
Players to watch: Pat Nagel, Michael Clavin, Ashley Nagel.
Comment: Powered by the best bowling attack in the comp, the Sharks will be tough to beat in every contest.
CRIB POINT
Coach: Brad Glenn.
Captain: Matt Blake.
Ins: Henry Dolphin, Scott Clark (Devon Meadows), Chris Richmond, Jack Johnson (returning).
Outs: Nil.
Players to watch: Glenn Barclay, Neil Clark, Waide Symes.
Comment: The Magpies are out to regain respect back after back-to-back wooden spoons.
SUB DISTRICT
FRANKSTON YCW
Coach: Stuart Plunkett.
Captain: Neil Barfuss.
In: Neil Barfuss (Flinders).
Out: Ben Williams (Langwarrin).
Players to watch: Jack Greenwood, Jason Hannah, Andrew Kitson.
Comment: The Stonecats have the talent and motivation to go deep this season.
SKYE
Coach: Nick Phillips.
Captain: TBD.
Ins: Divesh Kumar (Kealba-Green Gully), Andrew Camilleri (returning), Brodie Phelan (Pines), Zeeshan Mahmood, Azhar Zeeshan (Cranbourne Meadows).
Outs: Phil Clinch (Seaford), Pat Beckham (Pearcedale), Anthony Craddock (Tyabb), Darcy Merlo.
Players to watch: Scott Brown, Divesh Kumar.
Comment: The addition of all-rounder Divesh Kumar is significant but the Burras face a big task.
TYABB
Coach: Heath Straughair.
Captain: Nick Taranto.
Ins: Anthony Craddock (Skye), Tyler Boots (South Portland).
Outs: Mitch Andrew (Pearcedale), Joel Wylie, Trent Delaney (Devon Meadows).
Players to watch: Aaron Edwards, Tyler Boots, Zac Colvin, Nick Taranto.
Comment: With a talented squad, this could be the Yabbies’ season.
TOOTGAROOK
Coach: Paul Stevenson.
Captain: Travis French.
Ins: Adeel Hussain (Sorrento), Connor Hicklin (Lostock, UK).
Out: Matt Whelan (Mt Eliza).
Players to watch: James Harrington, Jamie Clarke, Corey DeBruyn.
Comment: The Frogs made the grand final last season and have added paceman Adeel Hussain. Hard to beat.
RYE
Coach: Michael Drake.
Captain: Geoff Glaum.
Ins: Geoff Glaum (Rosebud), Jordan Blades (Rovers United Bruck).
Outs: Tom Baron (Mt Eliza), Matt Whelan (Mt Eliza).
Players to watch: Cooper Morks, Shane Ray.
Comment: The Demons will again give opportunities to their youngsters.
SEAFORD
Coach: Scott Manders and Josh Trevitt.
Captain: Ryan McQueen.
Ins: Phil Clinch (Skye), Jordan Desmond, Danyon Mcneilly (Mt Waverley), Ben Wilson (Chelsea Heights), Niroshan Selvaraja, Jordan Desmond.
Outs: Nil.
Players to watch: Ben Wilson, Jordan Desmond.
Comment: With only two wins last season, Seaford took the tumble. But six months on the Tigers have put together a talented side capable of challenging.
CARRUM DOWNS
Coach: Brad Lockhart.
Captain: Ryan Lynch.
Ins: James Quarmby (West Bentleigh), Chris Samuels (Skye), Greg Benoit (Carlisle Park).
Outs: Nil.
Players to watch: James Quarmby, Coby Podd, Tahj Johnston, Dion Hall-McNish.
Comment: Lynch takes over the captaincy of the Cougars, who have recruited well, including West Bentleigh gun bat James Quarmby. Should go well.
BALLAM PARK
Coach: Zach Peddersen.
Captain: David Roach.
Ins: Zach Peddersen, Matt Eager, Brad Jones, Luke Mulder (Somerville), David Roach (Seaford Tigers), Steve Zach (Coomoora), Pradeep de Silva.
Outs: Nil.
Players to watch: Zac Clements, Pradeep de Silva, Jay Yates.
Comment: The rejuvenated Knights are back in Subbies and will start the season with high hopes. Former first-class batsman Pradeep de Silva is a big pick up.
BONEO
Captain-coach: Ryan Jellie.
Vice-captain: Chris Jobling.
Specialist coach: David McClean.
In: Cam Macaulay (Peninsula Old Boys).
Outs: Nil.
Players to watch: Cam Macaulay, Chris Jobling, Sean Garner.
Comment: With a good blend of experience and youth, the Pandas — third last season — will be a leading contender again.
BALNARRING
Captain-coach: James Cato.
Ins: Mitch Skvor (Frankston Peninsula).
Outs: Ben King (French Island).
Players to watch: Miles Shepherd, Lachy Barton, Jackson Hannah, Brenton Taylor.
Comment: The Saints lost to eventual premiership Dromana in the semis last season and should contend strongly again.
Round 1, October 5:
District: Dromana v Hastings, Delacombe Park v Mt Martha, Seaford Tigers v Carrum, Rosebud v Crib Point.
Sub District: Frankston YCW v Skye, Tyabb v Tootgarook, Rye v Seaford, Carrum Downs v Ballam Park, Boneo v Balnarring.