Doutta Stars believe some short-term pain will deliver long-term gain

Perennial VTCA Senior Division premiership contender Doutta Stars are set for a rebuilding season after the departure of several key players.

Brenton Parchment is stuck overseas. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Doutta Stars are set for a rebuilding season after the departure of several key players.

The perennial VTCA Senior Division premiership contender has been hit hard with 2020-21 captain-coach Hamish Moore, legendary all-rounder Brenton Parchment and 2021-22 skipper Jayden Borg all unable to play this season.

Moore is taking time away from the game, Parchment is overseas and Borg has earned a work promotion requiring him to do weekends.

Paceman Rob Rutley has moved to Geelong and Connor Thompson is recovering from a knee injury sustained playing football.

Last season’s grand finalist have appointed young gun Pat Willach as First XI captain and appointed Janaka Deegodagamage as head coach.

Hamish Moore in action for Doutta Stars.

Patrick Willach is Doutta Stars’ new captain. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Stars president Rob Lamberti said the situation would be used positively.

“Ever since I’ve been involved at the cricket club in 1993 we’ve never been far away from the finals,” he said.

“We won seven in a row in the 1990s and we’ve played in three out of the last four grand finals.

“Once we realised we couldn’t get some of these blokes back we decided to put more time into the juniors.

“We’ve never really had a non-playing coach before, so we’ve appointed JD as well, we’ve got a good bunch of kids coming through who he’ll work with.

“I’m not really worried too much about results, even if we go down.

“It’s only a game of cricket in the end, I think COVID has made everyone realise that’s there’s more to life.”

Moore, Parchment and Borg were three of Doutta Stars’ top four run-scorers last season, along with Willach, while Moore and Parchment were also among the top five wicket-takers.

The baton will now pass to the likes of Harrison Barnes-Quail, Brendan Ward and Joel Whitehead.

Ryan Holmes was the Stars’ Second XI leading run-scorer, while Aiden McConnell and Rob Pratt were the top wicket-takers.

“Patty Willach is a superstar kid, he’s been coaching our under-14s and he and his family are Doutta Star people,” Lamberti said.

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“I had a chat to him yesterday and he was rapt and he said he hoped to be captain for the next 10 years.

“We’ll push the kids through and let’s hope in another couple of years it comes to fruition.

“The aim is to set up our junior program so that in the future it will be envy of all other clubs, we have an exciting bunch coming through and JDs appointment will enhance their progress.”

The Senior Division season is set to kick off on November 13 with the Stars set to host Yarraville Club at Buckley Park.