Essendon strengthens its batting order with Isaac Conway return
After a one-season stint with Premier Cricket rivals Camberwell, wicketkeeper-batsman Isaac Conway is returning to Essendon in a significant boost for the Bombers’ batting depth.
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Essendon will welcome back wicketkeeper-batsman Isaac Conway in 2020-21 after a one-season switch to Camberwell Magpies.
Conway moved to the Magpies in search of increased batting opportunities and his return will be a critical boost to the Bombers’ Premier Cricket batting depth.
Opening the batting for much of the season, Conway produced a career-best First XI season tally of 311 runs for Camberwell with a highest score of 81 and took 21 catches behind the stumps.
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Outside of Ryder medallist James Seymour, Michael Hill and new high performance coach Aaron Ayre, no Essendon batsman scored more than 300 runs in the home-and-away season.
Bombers president Simon Tobin was pleased Conway had decided to return to Windy Hill.
“Isaac wanted to take an opportunity to bat higher up the order and there just wasn’t the opening for him at Essendon,” he said.
“We were disappointed but you understand that guys need to find opportunities elsewhere.
“He’s going to be a great addition to our middle order and he’s a very good wicketkeeper as well.
“He’s able to go in and swing the bat when we need quick runs but he’s also able to drop the anchor when we might have had a shaky start.”
Conway could slot in at first drop or No.4, easing the burden on young all-rounder Connor Rutland.
Isaac Willett, Stephen Mihelakos-James and Liam Molloy are expected to battle it out for the remaining batting positions.
Young Englishman Jack Davies could also return for a second stint depending on world travel restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite dropping to eighth this season, Tobin was pleased with the shape of Essendon’s list.
“We’ve got a really strong core of players, led by James Seymour with the bat and Matt Doric with the ball, and there’s a couple of real up-and-comers,” he said.
“While belated, Cam McClure did find his way into the Australian under-19 team and he’s still under-19 this year.
“He’s a tall, wiry guy and those type can take time to develop but his attitude is fantastic and his raw ability is fantastic.
“Steve Mihelakos-James made his First XI debut this season and we’ve got a two or three other guys in the Second XI that are ready to step up.
“When Tom O’Donnell is fit, he’s as good as any bowler in the competition. His personality lifts not just the team but the whole club some times, he’s a real leader.”
Essendon will be guided by a five-man coaching panel next season under head of coaching Ash Cavigan and high performance coach Ayre.