WGCA 2020-21: Devon Meadows announces co-coaches and star recruit
Devon Meadows has signed a former Premier Cricket all-rounder and made key appointments as it sets itself to hit back hard in West Gippsland Cricket Association District ranks in 2020-21.
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Devon Meadows has outlined its plans to bounce back from relegation, appointing new coaches and locking in a former Premier Cricket recruit.
Panthers players Michael Addison and Lucas Ligt have stepped up to be co-coaches, replacing last season’s coach Joel Wylie, who resigned owing to family commitments.
Former Casey-South Melbourne spinning all-rounder Jake McVicar, 25, joins Devon Meadows.
He’s spent the past two seasons with Narre South and played a key role in their DDCA Turf 1 Reserves premiership last season.
McVicar had four seasons with the Swans from 2012-16, managing one First XI game.
“He bowls a lot of overs for not a lot of runs, which is something we’ve been screaming out for,’’ Addison said, adding McVicar will also bat in the top order.
“We’ve got a lot of part-time off spinners but he’s not a part-timer, he’s an actual spinner. He’ll be good.’’
Devon Meadows won the 2017-18 District flag to earn promotion to Premier.
But the Panthers lasted only two seasons in the top flight, taking the drop after winning only one game last season.
“After the first season pretty much all of our players who were getting to the end either went back to their home clubs or retired,’’ Addison said.
“We knew we were going to be up against it last year…I think we had six or seven games where we were right in it until the end and they didn’t go our way. That happens.
“It was hard, it was a grind on the field.
“But there was enough there with the younger guys we’ve got coming through, a few guys in the twos, you know if you can hang around for a couple of years you might be back there for something special.’’
Addison and Ligt put their hands up to do the coaching role together after Wylie relinquished the reins.
“Lucas came to me and said, ‘what do you reckon, why don’t we both do it?’,’’ Addison said.
“If Joel decides after a year he wants to come back it’s no big deal because we haven’t gone out and paid another coach to come in.’’
Ligt is a former Cranbourne captain who crossed to Devon Meadows last season, as a player-only.
“It was good for him to freshen up mentally,’’ Addison said.
Addison played most of his cricket with Wantirna South before moving to the City of Casey about 10 years ago and making the Panthers his home.
“I love the joint, it’s like family,’’ he said.
“I have a young family…my son is in the under 10s. It’s a good family club and a good environment for the kids to be around.’’
Kyle Salerno was Devon Meadows’ leading run scorer last season with 419, while Lucas Carroll topped the wickets chart with 24.
Devon Meadows club great Darren O’Brien has been appointed specialist batting coach for season 2020-21.
O’Brien is the club’s all-time highest run scorer, a level 2 qualified coach and has coached numerous representative teams.
Panthers player Trent Delaney has been appointed strength and conditioning coach.
Addison said it was heartening to see players from within the club put their hands up.
“We didn’t want to go out and sell the farm to bring players in,’’ he said.
“We wanted to build from within and try and get ourselves back up to where we want to be.
“A few guys from internally have put their hands up and want to be involved which is great.
“It’s a lot easier when you’ve got guys coming to you and volunteering to help compared to the alternative of having to walk around and ask.’’
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