Dandenong coach Tom Donnell talks about his young side’s Premier Cricket progression

Dandenong coach Tom Donnell knows it’s going to take some time for the Panthers to return to a premiership contender, but he has been pleasantly surprised with how quick his young side has developed this season.

Joshua Sawrey of Dandenong. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Dandenong coach Tom Donnell has almost been as impressed with his side’s losses as he has with its wins.

Given the makeup of the young side, the first-year coach expected some wins but he expected some heavy losses too.

After two thirds of the Premier Cricket season, Dandenong sits in ninth position with four wins and four losses.

While the wins have been exciting, Donnell said the losses – particularly the close nature of them – have been just as telling.

“We were hopeful, I thought we would have some good wins,” he said.

“I suppose we’ve only lost convincingly in the second T20, but other than that we haven’t been outplayed too much.

“In all of the one-dayers, two-dayers that we’ve lost, we haven’t been completely outplayed, we’ve lost by not too much and that’s been the most pleasing thing.

“We’ve been more consistent than what we were probably expecting, I think with younger players you expect a bit of consistency.

“I have been happy with how the guys have gone about it and their attitude.”

Noah Hurley is one of the young players that have been impressive this season. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Joshua Sawrey appeals for a wicket. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Taking the reins after consecutive disappointing summers, Donnell knows it will take time to mould Dandenong back into a premiership contender.

But he has been pleasantly surprised with how well some of the younger players have developed in their first season of First XI cricket.

“I am really happy with where we’re at at the moment,” he said.

“The young guys have gone really well and the older guys have helped them a lot, which is the way it should be.

“Hopefully next year and the year after that the young guys can push on and be better, add a bit more and continue to push up.

“There’s no short-term fix when you lose as many players as we did a few years ago, so it’s going to be a bit of a process.

“To be honest, we’re probably a bit ahead of that, which is a good thing… it’s really good signs at the moment.”

Donnell hopes the Panthers can for a finals berth but said his group “can’t get too far ahead” of themselves.