Mornington Peninsula CA 2024-25: Ultimate season preview for Peninsula division

Ahead of the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association season’s opening round, here are the ins, outs and key players for all Peninsula division clubs — and who are the top contenders.

Cricket season hits off on the Mornington Peninsula next week.

One of the most competitive divisions will be Peninsula, with Mornington, Long Island, Mt Eliza and Rosebud to be among the contenders.

We analyse all the off-season news and squad changes ahead of a big summer.

LONG ISLAND

Coach: Stuart Swift

Captain: Aiden McKenna

Ins: Harry Van Raay (Old Peninsula), Zac Wilson (returning), Sam Holland-Burch (Tyabb)

Out: Anthony Bissett

Key players: Aiden McKenna, Zac Wilson, Sam Holland-Burch, Michael Burke, Tom Boxell, Tom Matson, Matt Shimell

Snapshot: Expect the Islanders to bounce back hard after the sting of relegation. Their side looks strong, with Country Week opener Aiden McKenna leading the way. All-rounder Sam Holland-Burch, also a Country Week player, is an excellent addition.

Matt Shimell bowling for Long Island.

MOOROODUC

Coach: Nick Williams

Director of coaching: Rob Hearn

Captain: Ben Williams

Ins: Rob Hearn (Tyabb), Ben Millar (Seaford Tigers), Ewan Wilson (Northern Ireland), Joel Brand (Hastings), Ned Matthews (Mornington), Billy Arnott (Mornington), Lucas Peterson (Hastings)

Out: Madu Perera (Dromana), Reece Cordeux (Nyora), Thusith Udayanga

Key players: Ben Williams, Ray Curry, Michael Whincup, Cooper Huggard, Rob Hearn, Ben Millar, Ewan Wilson

Snapshot: The Ducs have lost 750 runs from their top-order with Madu Perera and Thusith Udayanga moving on. But former Ireland under-19 rep Ewan Wilson is an excellent addition, joining countryman Ray Curry, while Rob Hearn, Ben Williams and recruit Ben Millar will look to churn out big scores.

Ben Williams will captain Moorooduc again. Picture: Valeriu Campan

MORNINGTON

Coach: Brendan Walsh

Captain: Zac Garnet

Vice-captain: Cameron Moon

Ins: Brendan Walsh (Lysterfield), Tom Panich (returning from season off)

Out: Ned Matthews (Moorooduc), Billy Arnott (Moorooduc)

Key players: Brendan Walsh, Zac Garnet, Shane Hockey, Bryce McGain, Mitch Goddard, Zac Garnet, Cameron Moon, Hayden Cummings

Snapshot: The Bulldogs have retained their First XI, and strengthened. Ringwood triple premiership all-rounder Brendan Walsh has joined as playing-coach. He cracked a half century at No. 4 in a praccy match against Dromana last week. Charlie Parker is back, as is Tom Panich. Record numbers at pre-season training has Mornington in strong shape.

Cameron Moon will lead the Bulldogs attack. Picture: Valeriu Campan

MT ELIZA

Coach: Marc Uccello

Captain: Nick Baron

In: Imesh Jayasekara (Upper Beaconsfield), Nick Strickland (back from knee injury)

Out: Lahiru Opatha (Plenty Valley)

Key players: Josh Goudge, Tom Baron, Imesh Jayasekara, Jean-Luc Talbot, Ravinda Kodithuwakku, Sam Glenn

Snapshot: The Mounties, grand finalists last season, have lost their leading run scorer Lahiru Opatha. New coach Marc Uccello has brought positive energy, while Nick Baron returns as captain after recovering from a knee reco. Big things are expected from Upper Beaconsfield recruit Imesh Jayasekara, who made 557 runs including two centuries last season.

Mt Eliza's side last season. Picture: Facebook

ROSEBUD

Coach: Geoff Glaum

Assistant coach: AJ King

Captain: Patrick Nagel

In: Geoff Glaum (Rye), Will Jewell (Sorrento), Sean Barry (returning), Sean Garner (Boneo), Liam Peirce (Boneo)

Key players: Patrick Nagel, Jarrod Hicks, Sam Jones, Liam Collett, Kane Donald, Will Jewell, Sean Garner, James Egan

Snapshot: Semi-finalists last season, the Sharks look like being a leading contender again. Geoff Glaum has returned home to coach, while Patrick Nagel will lead a well balanced and now-experienced ones side.

Patty Nagel will skipper the Sharks again.

SEAFORD

Coach: Zac Staggard

Captain: Matt Herbert

In: nil

Out: Andrew Smith (Langwarrin), Sam Frawley (coaching Mackie), Jaxon Cumming (Seaford Tigers), Scott Manders (family duties)

Key players: Jacob Foxwell, Aaron Bardwell, Dil Pageni, Matt Herbert, Ryan McQueen, Zac Staggard

Snapshot: Seaford has lost its two best bowlers Andrew Smith and Sam Frawley (57 wickets between them) from its premiership side. Ben Wilson, Matt Herbert and Zac Staggard are candidates to take the new ball, along with homegrown teenage talents Bailey Hoysted and Mitch Bowles. Experienced campaigners Dil Pageni and Ryan McQueen are tipped for strong seasons.

Dil Pageni blasts off for Seaford. Picture: Hamish Blair

SEAFORD TIGERS
Coach: Jack Birthisel

Captain: Dave James

Out: Brayden Roscoe (Warragul), Ben Millar (Moorooduc)

Key players: Luke Chevalier, Dave James, Jack Brooking, Mark Carroll, Aaron Mountney

Snapshot: The Tigers have lost their two leading run scorers from last season, Brayden Roscoe and Ben Millar, but it presents opportunities to homegrown talent. Dave James takes on the captaincy after two years off.

Dave James will skipper the Tigers.

Kiefer Peries is set for another big season at Somerville.

SOMERVILLE

Coach: Jason Nagel

Captain: Kiefer Peries

In: Isaac Harrison (UK), Brad McDonald (returning)

Out: Nick Mann (Frankston Peninsula), Matt Davie (McKinnon), Ryan McNamara, Cameron Sharpe, Jack Kennedy

Key players: Kiefer Peries, Brad McDonald, Jack Barbour, Jake Pollard, Luke Rowe

Snapshot: Eagles skipper Kiefer Peries made 633 runs last season to top the competition run charts and the batting will be boosted further by the return of Brad McDonald. Somerville’s bowling, though, has lost some sting with Ryan McNamara, Cameron Sharpe and Jack Kennedy signalling their intentions to not play.