Footscray secures talented all-rounder Jack Prestwidge from Melbourne

Footscray has won the services of all-rounder Jack Prestwidge, luring him away from Melbourne, confident it can help him return to Victoria colours.

Jack Prestwidge celebrates the wicket of Brett Forsyth. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Footscray is hailing the signing of Victoria hopeful Jack Prestwidge as one of the biggest recruits in the club’s history.

The Bulldogs secured the talented all-rounder from Melbourne, confident they can help him achieve his goals and return to First Class cricket.

The 28-year-old Queenslander has represented Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League and made one Sheffield Shield appearance for Victoria in 2022.

In four Premier Cricket seasons and 52 games with Melbourne, Prestwidge has 793 runs at an average of 21 and 69 wickets at 24.54.

He hit 224 runs and captured 20 wickets this season.

Jack Prestwidge batting for Melbourne. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Jack Prestwidge bowling for Melbourne. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Footscray coach Dale McDonald likened the coup to the arrival of future premiership star Jake Haberfield from South Australia in 2013.

“It’s very exciting, it’s one of the biggest signings for our club in a long time,” McDonald said.

“Like all coaches you keep your ear to the ground and we’d heard some murmurs he wasn’t as happy as he should be and wasn’t enjoying bowling on the Melbourne wicket.

“He took 20 wickets for the season and I think a lot would have been at opposition grounds and (David) Moody was the same.

“He wanted an opportunity to regain a state contract and didn’t see that being an option at Melbourne because of the way the wicket is.

“These are my words not his, to be able to bowl on a wicket that offers good pace and is a little bit more bowler friendly early, that might suit him best.

“Then with his batting, he’ll get a good opportunity in our top-order and for him to regain a contract he needs to be able to do both really well.”

Footscray played Melbourne at the Albert Ground this season, both teams scoring in excess of 300 runs in a draw.

Prestwidge didn’t get a bat and took 1-38 from 12 overs.

The new recruit will take the new ball next season and settle into the Bulldogs’ batting top-order.

McDonald was confident he would also have a positive influence on the club’s young attack, led by Ben Roosenboom and Max Birthisel.

“Our batting has been pretty strong the last couple of years and our bowling as lacked a little bit of pace and experience,” he said.

“Adding Jack to our group will help guys like Max Birthisel, Ben Roosenboom and Umair Butt.”

Butt, a Premier Cricket Team of the Year paceman in 2022-23, battled a pelvis injury for much of this season.

However, he is back in training and expected to be a key member of Footscray’s push to return to finals in 2024-25.

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The Bulldogs will also look to continue the development of their young talent.

Opening bat Aiman Nadeem and spinner Jay Vine enjoyed breakout campaigns, hitting 461 runs and snaring 31 wickets respectively.

Josh Pace, Aiden Brasher, Blake Aggelis, Raj Nand, Aayan Nadeem, Mickey Hay and Max Hatzoglou all made their First XI debuts this season.

Star opener Dylan Brasher has been upgraded to a full Cricket Victoria state contract and is in line to make his First Class and List A debuts next summer.