MPCA: Tom Baron to lead Mt Eliza in 2020-21 after string of departures
Mt Eliza’s squad has undergone wholesale changes, with half a dozen players moving on. But new skipper Tom Baron is confident the Mounties can maintain their standing as one of the leading sides in the MPCA.
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Don’t write off the Mounties.
That’s the message from new Mt Eliza captain-coach Tom Baron, whose appointment comes as a lifter after a veritable player exodus.
The Mounties have lost seven players since winning their way into the MPCA Provincial grand final last season, including champion batsman and skipper Justin Grant, who has joined rivals Peninsula Old Boys in one of the biggest player movements of the off-season.
Mt Eliza was to meet Sorrento in the grand final but never got a chance to play after the game was cancelled because of the coronavirus crisis. The higher placed Sorrento was awarded the premiership.
Four members of Mt Eliza’s victorious semi-final side have departed — Grant, Lyle House (gone to coach Rosebud) and Tim Clarke and Matt Whelan (both to Delacombe Park, Whelan as skipper).
Fellow senior player Russell Fulton has indicated he won’t play next season, while Keith Biggs has returned to Bentleigh ANA and Robbie Maskiell has signed with Koo Wee Rup in the West Gippsland competition (he lives out that way).
Baron was philosophical about the departures, saying “that happens”, and believes Mt Eliza’s strong bowling lineup will help it maintain its position in the top echelon of Provincial next season.
“There’s nothing that’s happened at the club, it’s all just opportunities and personal reasons,” he said.
“Although it’s disappointing...but that happens.
“We haven’t lost anything in the bowling — Juzzy only bowled 15 overs after Christmas last season.
“We’ll be pretty solid with the ball. The batting is going to bit a little bit different but if we bowl well we will be in games a fair bit.
“We’re pretty confident we will be back up there next season.”
In positive news for Mt Eliza, premiership wicketkeeper batsman Ben Tracy has committed to play next season after a couple of years off.
And Baron is hopeful promising batsman Josh Goudge will also play after a season off.
Baron, who took 31 wickets last season, said Sri Lankans Rashmika Opatha and Dilendra Gunatilake are staying as is paceman Nathan Smith.
Nick Baron, who took 24 wickets last season, will be a key player along with the Strickland brothers, Tim and Nick.
Baron, 31, says it’s a dream come true to be named coach of the club he started out at in the under 12s.
He expects Provincial to be stronger next season, with clubs bolstering their lists.
“I think the Old Boys are going to be a pretty solid side,” he said.
“And obviously Sorrento have picked up (Jarrod) Armitage who is a good player. And Red Hill, with (Simon) Dart and co coming into the comp, they know how to win.
“It’s going to be a very interesting Provincial comp — one of the strongest Provincial comps I’ve seen I think. So it’s going to be exciting.”