Family connection sees Coburg sign Premier Cricket star for Subbies 2021-22

Coburg has secured one of the best batsmen outside the Victorian state squad and Lions captain-coach Aaron Shellie hopes he attracts more recruits.

Aaron Ayre in action for Essendon.

Essendon great Aaron Ayre has officially joined his brother-in-law Aaron Shellie at Coburg.

Rumours have swirled since Ayre hung up the boots at Premier Cricket level but he finally put pen to paper over the weekend.

The star opening batsman will be an assistant coach under Shellie and provide the club invaluable experience and leadership as it looks to jump up the VSDCA ladder in 2021-22.

Lions captain-coach Shellie was looking forward to teaming up again with his former Bombers skipper.

“I had a good feeling about it, I didn’t think he’d go anywhere else,” he said.

“I played a lot of cricket with him … we’ve both got similar stands on captaincy.

“We’re both pretty aggressive, I’m probably sometimes a little over aggressive, so he might pull me back in that aspect.

“He’s going to be invaluable on and off the field, coming on as an assistant coach as well to help out at training and the boys can pick his brain.”

Ayre retired in April as one of Essendon’s all-time leading run-scorers with 4824 runs and the Bombers’ single-season runs record of 1057.

He has represented Victoria at Sheffield Shield level and has Big Bash League experience with the Melbourne Renegades.

The star batsman will instantly upgrade Coburg’s run-scoring power for the upcoming North-East Subbies season.

Shellie hopes his arrival will also lure other recruits keen to play alongside Ayre.

“Someone of Aaron’s resume will hopefully push us up the ladder and blokes want to play with the best you can,” he said.

“If he not the best bat running around in Subbies then he’d be in the top two or three.

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“Not just established players, maybe some kids coming through that want to try their luck in Subbies cricket that can strengthen us that way as well.

“Hopefully it attracts an opening quick if anyone is listening.”

Shellie was confident of retaining the Lions’ First XI from this season.

The club is looking to follow in Preston’s footsteps and jump up the ladder after just two wins in 2020-21.