All the ins and outs and finals hopes of every VTCA Senior Division club
The new VTCA Senior Division season is upon us. Can anyone stop Deer Park? Check out every club’s ins and outs and finals hopes ahead of Round 1.
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Is everyone just playing for second in VTCA Senior Division?
There’s no doubt reigning premier Deer Park is the team to beat, so can anyone beat them?
Beaten grand finalist Sydenham-Hillside has also had a strong off-season, while Yarraville Club is never far away from premiership contention.
Perhaps a surprise-packet can pop up and catch everyone.
It should be a fascinating season of cricket with some of the biggest names in local cricket taking the field.
Check out every clubs off-season additions and finals hopes here.
ABERFELDIE
Captain: Kieran Gray
Coach: Kieran Gray
Last season: 4th (6-4, semi-final)
In: Henry Arnold (Harborne, UK), Damith Pryadashana (Caroline Springs), Danushka Wijemanna (Guildford), Leniko Boucher (Grand United), Kallan Rogers (Coburg), Vihanga Ambepitiya (Buckley Park)
Out: Tallan Wright (Sydenham-Hillside), Cam West (Sydenham-Hillside), Anthony Barton (Sydenham-Hillside), Charlie Thurston (not returning), Jack Sheppard (Buninyong), Tom Godsell (retired), Tim Robertson (retired)
Prediction: The list of departures from Clifton Park is long but last year’s semi-finalist is still a force to be reckoned with. Leniko Boucher dominated Division 2 last season and Danushka Wijemanna likewise in the Castlemaine District competition. Henry Arnold looks a dangerous quick too. Expect Abers to be thereabouts come the pointy end.
AIRPORT WEST ST CHRISTOPHERS
Captain: Jordan Kelly
Coach: Alan Torrance
Last season: Division 1 premier, promotion
In: Ben Walkden (Cumbria, UK), Sachin Awishka (Glenroy), Aksh Singh (Coburg), Arshit Rajput (Hoppers Crossing)
Out: Joe Gill (not returning), Qundeel Haider (not returning)
Prediction: The Division 1 premier and promotion-winner isn’t here just to be a whipping boy in 2024-25. The Saints are in it to impress and believe they are capable of making a semi-final challenge. Losing leading wicket-taker Gill is a blow but any team with the likes of Dan Salpietro, grand final hat-trick hero Thisara Dilshan and Ranga Cooray is a threat every Saturday.
CRAIGIEBURN
Captain: –
Coach: Sean Bathman
Last season: 9th (3-7)
In: Sean Bathman (Lalor Warriors), Josh Rasu (Vanautu), Jack Philpott (Holy Trinity), Ben Radford (injury)
Out: Josh Eaton (Yarraville Club), Darran Wotu (Footscray Angliss)
Prediction: The Eagles survived relegation by the skin of their teeth, winning the final game of the season to retain Senior Division status. The club will look to avoid any repeat this season but in a ever-more difficult competition, that might be easier said than done. The arrival of Vanuatu captain Josh Rasu, a hard-hitting middle order bat and off-spinner, will be a boost, while the club retains crucial leaders Sam Laffin and Nathan Pappin after skipper Josh Eaton’s defection. The club has been pleased with the development of its juniors and will look to blood young talent this season.
DEER PARK
Captain: Dean Russ
Coach: Mick Andriadis
Last season: First (8-2, premiers)
In: Aaron Shellie (Coburg), Aaron Ayre (Coburg), Fawad Ahmed (Hoppers Crossing)
Out: Fawad Malook (New City)
Prediction: Can anyone stop the reigning premier? Mick Andriadis probably wasn’t far off with his assertion the team was the best in any cricket competition outside Premier. Adding Aaron Shellie, Aaron Ayre and Fawad Ahmed to a premiership XI is incredible. But if sport is anything it’s a great equaliser and the likes of Sydenham-Hillside and Yarraville Club had also had strong off-seasons. Anything other than a premiership is a failure.
KEILOR
Captain: Mick Allen
Coach: Duncan Harrison
Last season: 6th (5-5)
In: Mick Allen (time off), Jonah Koch (Yarraville)
Out: Nick Taylor (not returning), Reeve Evitts (not returning)
Prediction: The Blues are looking to challenge for finals after just missing out last season in one of the tightest finishes in recent years. The loss of Taylor and Evitts is a blow but the club has secured Jonah Koch from Yarraville and lured the legendary Mick Allen out of retirement to lead the First XI. Coach Duncan Harrison believes the local talent pushing through at the club will have it in a good place.
ST ALBANS
Captain: Michael Else
Coach: Michael Else
Last season: 5th (5-5)
In: James Meggit (UK), Jason Udagedara (Sydenham-Hillside), Dan Blatherwick (UK), John Mood (UK), Charith Mendis (Druids)
Out: Shafraz Mohammed (Sunshine), Ashen Abeykoon
Prediction: After missing out on the top-four by a game last season, St Albans is looking to bounce back under the returning Michael Else. He said he’d be “disappointed” to not play finals but getting there is no easy task given the strength of the competition. St Albans have a tough run before Christmas which could determine just where they sit.
SUNSHINE UNITED
Captain: James Muirhead
Coach: James Muirhead
Last season: 8th (3-7)
In: Ben Luca, Shehriyar Cutterlywala, Salman Afridi (Haig Fawkner), Udith Fernando (Qld), Shehan Wedikkara (Sydenham-Hillside), James Muirhead (Newport-Digman)
Out: –
Prediction: Ex-Australia spinner James Muirhead has arrived to lead the charge for the new season and the club has welcomed a series of recruits. Having both played in grand finals last season Salman Afridi and Shehan Wedikkara bring important big-game experience. If everything is able to click, the Tigers are going to be in a very good position to challenge for finals.
SYDENHAM-HILLSIDE
Captain: Tallan Wright
Coach: Anthony Alleyne
Last season: Second (7-3, grand final)
In: Cameron West (Aberfeldie), Tallan Wright (Aberfeldie), Sanka Ramesh (Hoppers Crossing), Akon Mawien (SA), Jack Harding (UK), Anthony Barton (Aberfeldie)
Out: Shehan Wedikkara (Sunshine United)
Prediction: The Storm’s recruiting in the off-season suggests they’re right in the mix for the premiership this season. There is a strong ex-Aberfeldie presence in the squad and if those names click something special could be on the way.
WESTMEADOWS
Captain: Donovan Pell
Coach: Donovan Pell
Last season: 7th (5-5)
In: Stephen Mihelakos-James (Essendon), Angus Price (Essendon)
Out: Geeth Alwis (Ovens Valley United), Thilina Massmula (retired), Jackson Smith (Lower Plenty)
Prediction: Mihelakos-James and Price are both impressive recruits who should make their mark felt during the season. Alwis’ departure to country cricket is a loss given his all-round ability he showed last season. The Warriors must be confident of improving this season.
YARRAVILLE CLUB
Captain: Mitch Johnstone
Coach: Mitch Johnstone
Last season: 3rd (7-3, semi-final)
In: Matt Doric (Brunswick), Josh Eaton (Craigieburn), Viraj Lakshitha (Haig Fawkner)
Out: Nathan Johnson (St Bernard’s), Mathieson King (Burnside Springs United), Allister Powell
Prediction: The recruits are among some of the most impressive in the division. Doric will spearhead the attack while Eaton will bring his own weapons after crossing from Craigieburn. Lakshitha could easily add some valuable runs. The Clubbers are always in the finals mix and this season should be no different.
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