FTGDCA 2024-25: The players set to shape the Norm Reeves Shield season

The talent runs deep with bat and ball in the Ferntree Gully & District Cricket Association’s top-flight. We’ve named the players set to shape the season. SEE THE LIST.

FTGDCA: Lysterfield’s Nathan Walsh is set for another big season.

We’re off and running and the race is on for the FTGDCA’s top prize.

We’ve named the players, in alphabetical order, who could shape the Norm Reeves Shield season and the fight for the flag …

Ben Marget (Knox Gardens)

Sits equal-first for most wickets so far with 11, collecting three in three outings – including against reigning premier Ferntree Gully. Last season’s numbers also read favourably, with 19 wickets at 28 and 172 runs.

Cam Cosstick (Eildon Park)

Returning to Eildon Park in 2023 following a successful stint at Lysterfield, the five-time Norm Reeves Shield premiership leg-spinner boasts experience in spades, having represented the FTGDCA on multiple occasions, captaining Country Week teams and winning the league bowling average. Last season the former Premier cricketer took 14 wickets in the DeCoite Shield – including a 6-fa against Rowville.

Chamara Kapugedara (Ferntree Gully Footballers)

At 37, the Sri Lankan continued to set a consistent standard with 431 runs at 43 in 2023-24, smashing two centuries across his 10 matches. So far he’s got 153 at 38 from five appearances.

Chandima Abeykoon (Knoxfield)

Helped his side into the top four last season off the back of 26 wickets at 18.96 on the way to a preliminary final. And he claimed a scalp in all bar one outing across 15 matches.

Blake Walter (The Basin)

Figured among the top run-scorers last season with 688 at 57.33 to guide the Bears to a top-of-the-table finish. He hasn’t hit the early-season heights of last time yet with 114 runs (in Round 3 last season he blasted 149) but his track record proves he has all the weapons to shape things. Has also taken six catches so far.

Danny O’Shea (The Basin)

Looks to be following on from an outstanding maiden season with the Bears, with the left-arm spinner leading the pack for wickets with 11 at 12.82 so far. Last season the four-time East Box Hill club champion and BHRDCA medallist reeled in a whopping 41 wickets at 17.63 to top the comp. Can he do it again?

Jack Meyers (Ferntree Gully Footballers)

Arrived from Premier club Ringwood where he split his time between the Third and Fourth XI and under-18s last season, nudging 200 runs and collecting 24 wickets at 18.33.

Jake Sherriff (The Basin)

The former Premier quick was central to the Bears’ rise last season, claiming 27 scalps at 19.81, while also hitting 271 runs - including 82 in the grand final.

FTGDCA: Jake Sherriff was a key player in the Bears’ rise last season. Picture: Field of View Photography

Jake Toohey (Ferntree Gully)

A Victorian representative in the Australian Country Championships last season, the former Premier cricketer took 21 wickets at 28.67 in the Norm Reeves Shield while he also put up 324 runs to help the Gully to the flag. And he’s started the season handily, with his first five matches including an unbeaten 101 against The Basin among his 139-run total to go with six wickets.

Josh Henry (Ferntree Gully)

The captain-coach put on 689 runs last season – averaging 49 – helping the club to back-to-back First XI flags for the first time in 30 years. He was also man of the match in the grand final, knocking 77 runs while collecting 2-58 with the ball. This time around he’s plundered 132 runs including a knock of 65 against The Basin.

FTGDCA: Ferntree Gully celebrates its 2023-24 Norm Reeves Shield grand final win

Julian Whetstone (Upwey Tecoma)

The Tigers’ coach is fresh off a career-best season for the club with 397 runs and 32 wickets at 18.66 – and he’s taken to the helm in fine form with nine scalps in four matches, collecting at least one in each. And on the weekend he drove 67 not-out to steer his side to a win over The Basin. Touted as one of the premier all-rounders of the comp, and his numbers certainly validate that.

Justin Creed (The Basin)

Sailed to 600 runs in 2023-24 averaging 50 to help the Bears to the grand final after arriving from Monbulk. Yet to hit his straps but his capabilities suggest he’s one to watch.

Lachlan Baltruschaitis (Eildon Park)

The teenage talent has started the season handily, peeling off back-to-back half-centuries across his past two outings, with 68 and 63 opening for the First XI. A VMCU rep, this year he also stood out in the U18 Box Hill Reporter Gold comp with an unbeaten 59 to claim the title. One to watch.

Luke McComb (Ferntree Gully Footballers)

The all-rounder looks set for another big season, firing in the opening month or so with 94 runs at 47 and seven wickets at 18.43, while he’s also scooped up four catches. Last season he brought in 416 runs and 14 wickets.

Malinda Rathnayake (Knoxfield)

The Knights opener peeled off big numbers with the bat against finals-bound sides last season, finishing with 420 runs at 26.25. And he’s started this campaign solidly with 173 in his first five matches, twice coming within a whisker of the half-century against ladder-leader Eildon Park and reigning premier Ferntree Gully.

Nathan Walsh (Lysterfield)

Is it any surprise to see the brilliant Beaver featured here? None better at the crease in the competition, the multiple-premiership winner averaged almost 75 with the bat in 2023-24 on the way to 896 runs, breaking the record for runs scored in a FTGDCA season. And this year? He’s already off to a flyer, cracking a runaway 283 runs at 56.6, nudging the ton with 86 against reigning premier Ferntree Gully.

Nick Gwynne (Lysterfield)

Figured among the competition’s top bowlers last season with 25 wickets at 21.44, while he also drove 407 runs at 31. And he’s on track for another big campaign with 129 so far – including two half-centuries – to go with seven wickets.

Trent Phillips (The Basin)

Currently sitting second for runs with 185, the Bears’ opener peeled off an unbeaten 107 against Eildon Park in Round 1 to follow on from a blistering 2023-24 at the crease which netted 455 runs.