Essendon Maribyrnong Park searching for new coach after missing Premier Cricket finals
Outgoing Essendon Maribyrnong Park coach George Shaw is confident the club is primed to bounce back into premiership contention next season.
Local Sport
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Essendon Maribyrnong Park is searching for a new coach.
The Premier Cricket power made the announcement on Tuesday that George Shaw had stepped down after four seasons in the top job.
After winning the one-day premiership last season, the Bombers missed finals for the first time since 2018-19.
The First XI finished sixth with a 4-6 record and seventh in the T20 competition, while also missing out in the Second and Third XI.
Shaw said it was time for a new voice to lead the club.
“The club needed a succession plan and sometimes players need a new voice,” Shaw said.
“I thought it was a good opportunity to sit down and rationally think about where we’re at as a club and me personally but I’m not going anywhere, I’m still heavily involved on the committee and looking after the junior program.
“We need another voice, it’s been four years, and it’s important to have fresh ideas to keep the girls motivated.
“We just didn’t have consistency in our teams all year, we had 10 changes every week across the three teams.
“We have a list of 54 but at times we were actually calling on mums that hadn’t played for six or seven years – they were terrific.”
Shaw revealed 23 players made an appearance at First XI level this season.
Another 33 players were used in the Second and Third XIs with state selection, injury and Year 12 exams hitting the club hard.
Milly Illingworth didn’t play a one-day match this season, while Chloe Rafferty was restricted to two, Sam Bates three and Alyssa Humphries played six.
However, it allowed the next generation to take the reins at Aberfeldie Park.
Young wicketkeeper Tia Davidge had a breakout season with the bat, scoring 374 at an average of 53.43 – second most in the competition.
Skipper Makinley Blows scored 263, while Amanpreet Kaur finished with 246 to both finish in the top-20.
With the ball, rising star Ira Avery claimed 14 at 19.57 – ranked ninth overall, while Madison Albers snared 12 and Rafferty 10.
Shaw said the club was well set-up to challenge for the premiership next season.
“The club is in very, very good nick at the moment,” he said.
“I’ve got no doubt we’ll bounce back very quick with the squad we’ve got available – all things being equal and availability we’ll play finals at all levels.
“Ira Avery has only been in the First XI, this is her second season, and she only turned 15 two weeks ago.
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“Mia Gordon unfortunately had an injury at the start of the year and it wasn’t until after Christmas we saw the best of her, we all know her ability.
“Tia Davidge is 18-19, I’m biased but I think she’s the best keeper in Premier Cricket, and also made 400 runs, which is a breakout year batting at first drop.
“Ruby Gibson is in and out of the First XI but she’s only just turned 16 and been in Victorian rep teams already.
“I’ve really buoyant about how quickly we can challenge again, when we had more consistency after Christmas we started to show what we’re capable of.”
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