Aberfeldie has been busy since the end of the VTCA Senior Division season
Aberfeldie has wasted no time preparing for its second chance in VTCA Senior Division, appointing a new coach and captain and luring a pair of Premier Cricket recruits.
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Aberfeldie has wasted no time preparing for its second chance season in VTCA Senior Division.
The club has appointed a new coach, new captain and lured a star recruit from Premier Cricket for the 2021-22 campaign.
Sohan Boralessa will take the coaching reins from Kieran Gray.
The crafty spinner was First XI captain in Abers’ 2019-20 Division 1 West premiership season and is looking forward to taking on the top job.
“I’ve been with the club for four years now … I like the progress, it’s a different challenge, and I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
“Kieran has moved on and he and I have always bounced a lot of ideas off each other when it comes to our coaching plans and I thought it was a good time to take up the challenge.
“I’ve been working with a lot of the juniors at the club and I thought it was a good chance to explore the coaching side.”
While it’s yet to be officially announced, Tallan Wright is expected to take over the First XI captaincy from Craig Sheedy.
Aberfeldie has changed captains in each of the past four seasons with Gray, Boralessa and Sheedy all taking the responsibility.
Wright joined Abers from Premier Cricket outfit Footscray this season and performed admirably, finishing with 260 runs – including three 50s – at an average of 28.89.
Boralessa was excited to see what Wright could bring to the club with his leadership.
“He brings a fresh perspective and he’s an aggressive player, so I think that will be reflected in his captaincy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abers has bolstered its line-up with a two Premier Cricket signings.
Zach Mevissen returns to Aberfeldie on a two-year deal after spending five of the past six seasons with Melbourne while Jordan Kight has crossed from Footscray.
Mevissen, a dangerous paceman and handy middle to lower order batsman played 24 First XI games for the Demons, claiming 34 wickets.
He spent the majority 2020-21 in the Second XI, playing 10 matches for a return of 15 wickets at 18.32 and 116 runs at 23.20 and was a part of Melbourne’s Third XI grand final team.
Mevissen played four games for Aberfeldie in 2019-20 – including the grand final win over Spotswood – and Boralessa was rapt to have him back on board.
“He was always going to come back at some stage because he was a junior here and lives right across the road from Abers,” Boralessa said.
“He comes around and helps a lot of the boys out whenever he can.
“He’s a strong chance to open the bowling, I’m looking forward to seeing him with the new pill off the long run up on the new wicket.”
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Kight played 37 First XI games for the Dogs, including 12 this season where he scored 187 runs at 18.70.
He scored his maiden Premier Cricket century - 134 not out - against St Kilda in 2018-19.
Boralessa expects more former juniors to return to Aberfeldie before the new season with the high standard of Senior Division cricket an attraction.
Abers was spared relegation after Strathmore’s shift to the VSDCA and will return to Clifton Park after it was redeveloped this season.
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