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.

Ultimate VTCA Senior Division season preview.

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.

Shaifi Moazzem in action for Aberfeldie. Picture: Josh Chadwick

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 Christopher's Ranga Cooray and Sasindu De Silva. Picture: Andy Brownbill

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.

Sam Laffan in action for Craigieburn. Picture: Andy Brownbill

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.

Keon Harding rolls the arm over for Deer Park. Picture: Andy Brownbill

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’s Matthew Gaskett in action for the VTCA representative team. Picture: Andy Brownbill

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.

Shafraz Mohamed in action for Keilor. Picture: Andy Brownbill

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’s Alex Burton. Picture: Andy Brownbill

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’s Timothy Grech. Picture: Andy Brownbill

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.

Clayton Campbell at bat for Westmeadows. Picture: George Salpigtidis

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 quick Trent Lawford. Picture: Andy Brownbill

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.