Aberfeldie is undefeated on top of the VTCA Senior Division ladder at Christmas

Craig Sheedy inspires a top-of-the-table win over Druids and Aberfeldie completes a remarkable nine-month turnaround in the VTCA Senior Division.

Craig Sheedy appeals for a wicket.

What a difference nine months makes.

In March, Aberfeldie took the VTCA Senior Division wooden spoon but were spared relegation by a division restructure.

A new season creates new opportunities and Abers are now undefeated on top of the ladder with six straight wins heading into the Christmas break.

A six-wicket win over second-placed Druids in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday capped an extraordinary turnaround.

Aberfeldie coach Sohan Boralessa said a pre-season honesty session had created positive change.

Sohan Boralessa in action for Aberfeldie. Picture: Julian Smith

“It’s a stark difference to last year,” he said.

“It’s nothing to shy away from, if we wanted to lift ourselves there were certain areas we needed to pick up on, so we had some honest conversations.

“Now coming into Christmas we’ve seen the results.

“We’re confident in our game, executing the plan and coming into Saturday we were five-zip and we wanted to make it six-zip.

“The games we’re winning we’ve got five or six players that have brought the game home for us, so we’re not relying on just one or two people.”

Evergreen veteran Craig Sheedy was at his unplayable best against Druids, producing match-best performances with bat and ball.

Sheedy took 5-29 with the ball to help dismiss Druids for 155, including the key wicket of Mickey Hay (63), before hitting an unbeaten half century to guide Abers home.

Sheedy finished on 55 not out, combining with captain Tallan Wright (58) in a match-winning 111-run fourth-wicket partnership.

Despite playing two fewer games, Sheedy is the second-ranked wicket-taker in Senior Division having claimed 12 scalps at an elite average of 8.92.

First-year skipper Wright’s third half century of the campaign has him ranked fifth in the competition with 244 runs at 81.33.

Craig Sheedy in action for Aberfeldie. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Sheeds is unbelievable, he wants to be that person leading the team,” Boralessa said.

“From a club point of view, we’re just happy to have him, because whenever someone needs to step up, he’s the man.

“He sets the bar high for everyone around him.

“Tal’s an aggressive player, he’s a strong player and hits a lot of boundaries, and that translates to his captaincy style as well.

“He tries to get the game moving forward, which lifts the group, and he’s leading in output as well – he sets the tone for us.”

Boom off-season recruits Jordan Kight and Zach Mevissen are currently ranked 14th in run-scoring and 11th in wicket-taking respectively.

A return to Clifton Park has certainly been a boost but Aberfeldie has only played two home games in the opening six rounds.

Abers have played and beaten premier Sunshine United, grand finalist Doutta Stars, Yarraville Club and Haig Fawkner on the road – the last two in the recent double-header weekend.

A heavy underdog entering the season, Aberfeldie will now be the hunted in the new year.

VTCA: CHRISTMAS FIREWORKS IN 40-BALL CENTURY

LEADER: GET YOUR LOCAL CRICKET NEWS HERE

GDCA: McKENNA GIVES GISBORNE CHRISTMAS PRESENT

Boralessa said the team has plans to keep rivals guessing.

“We’ve lost the element of surprise pretty well, there’s a few ruffled feathers in the competition,” he said.

“Now it’s about working out different gameplans coming into two-day cricket, which suits our group as well.

“We want to identify how we want to play, I think we’re up for it, and it will give us a few more surprises going into two-day cricket.”