All the latest big moves in the Dandenong District Association

From league medallists to returning heroes, Dandenong District clubs aren’t messing about in the recruiting market. Here are some of the biggest movements so far.

There’s been a steady flow of player arrivals and departures in the Dandenong District Cricket Association as clubs look to strengthen their lists for the 2023-24 season.

Here are the biggest movements of the pre-season so far.

WILCOCK WAVES GOODBYE

Berwick star James Wilcock has made the move from Arch Brown Reserve to Drouin in the Warragul District association.

Hailing from the Drouin area, Wilcock stood down as the Bears’ captain ahead of the 2022-23 season before deciding the trip to Berwick was too far to travel.

Prior to his super run with the Bears, Wilcock had a terrific career at Dandenong at Premier Cricket level, taking 145 wickets at an average of just 21.71.

James Wilcock bowling for Berwick. Picture: Valeriu Campan

MAPA TO MORDI

Damith Mapa also departed Berwick to return to previous club Mordialloc.

Mapa built some resume in his eight seasons at Mordialloc, winning four premierships and collecting three batting average awards.

He captained Mordialloc to a First XI premiership back in 2020-21 before leaving for Berwick at the end of that season.

Over his two seasons at Berwick, Mapa averaged over 30 as a reliable middle-order bat.

Damith Mapa keeping for Mordi. Picture: Valeriu Campan

DINGER BROTHERS TO BAXTER

Narre Warren has lost Dinger trio Cam, Josh and Luke to MPCA club Baxter.

Cam spun Cranbourne to Turf 1 glory back in 2015-16 – winning the Damian Fleming Medal – before joining Narre Warren and playing a role in the Magpies 2020-21 Turf 2 flag.

Josh, meanwhile, was best afield in that aforementioned Turf 2 premiership, claiming 6-21 with the new rock.

ARTER OUT

Dual premiership coach Darren Arter has called time on his coaching tenure at Springvale South after back-to-back Turf 1 titles.

“It’s not going to be easy (to replace him); Darts has so much respect at our cricket club, I don’t think one person can replace someone like that,” Club captain Ryan Quirk said.

Arter has a record few could match as a player and coach; he took the club to successive flags as a captain before doing it again as coach.

He has stepped away to spend time with his family.

SWEENEY’S TO TOORADIN

In a big loss for Cranbourne, Mick and Peter Sweeney have joined Casey Cardinia powerhouse Tooradin.

Peter has won back-to-back league medals while the Eagles have simultaneously made two grand finals.

Mick was, to many, the favourite for the Dandenong coaching role before signing with the Gulls.

Peter Sweeney (left) and Mick Sweeney (right) have joined Tooradin.

JURGEN RETURNS HOME

Experienced seamer Jurgen Andersen returns to where it all began for him in Melbourne, linking back up with North Dandenong.

Andersen played with the club for three seasons, taking 77 Turf 1 wickets, before joining Mornington Peninsula club Long Island where he has played the last two seasons.

Andersen will assist Maroons’ head coach David Bell in a bowling coach role.

“He’s a senior cricketer, and especially with the return of two-day cricket, he has the ability to bowl long overs,” North Dandenong president Jason Shaw said.

Jurgen Andersen. Picture: Valeriu Campan

HENNESSY’S A BLOOD AGAIN

Classy bat Stephen Hennessy returns to Alex Nelson Reserve after two seasons with Turf 2 club Keysborough.

The right-hander played 197 matches as a Blood, plundering 4358 runs at an average of 24 with 17 half-centuries and seven hundreds.

Mackenzie Gardner is a Cobra.

SNAKEPIT SECURES SEAFORD STAR

HSD has added some top-order firepower with the signature Mackenzie Gardner.

Gardner is fresh off a 681-run season with Seaford Tigers in the second flight of the Mornington Peninsula association.

Batting at No.3, Gardner made 85 of the Tigers’ 182 runs in last summer’s grand final.