MPCA 2020-21: Race for the premiership will be hotly contested in District and Subbies
With a season of one-dayers, there could be several surprise packets emerge in MPCA District and Sub District. Here’s how each club shapes up — who’s coach, captain and all the player movements.
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Sides will look to play attacking cricket in this shortened 2020-21 MPCA season.
There is some serious hitting power in District and Sub District ranks, including former first-class batsman Dewayne Bowden (Dromana) and Delacombe Park’s Nick Christides.
Some fine players come into the competition, too, including former RM Hatch medal winner Barry Ensil joining Mt Martha.
Here’s how the clubs shape up:
DISTRICT
CARRUM
Captain-coach: Mark Cooper
Last season: 7th
In: Mark Cooper (Koo Wee Rup)
Out: Zane Wagner (Bonbeach)
Snapshot: The Lions are set to improve with Cooper at the helm. He and Shaun Foster will lead the batting line-up while promising youngsters Campbell Ak, Jack Thomson and the Ridgway brothers, Dylan and Sam will be more prevalent.
CRIB POINT
Captain-coach: Waide Symes
Last season: 4th
In: Luke Herrington (returning), Brad Arnold (returning)
Out: Neil Clark (Nyora)
Snapshot: Waide Symes takes the reins after Mitch Stansborough stepped down. Luke Herrington will be very handy in the limited overs format, while Spencer Wilton, Andrew Sharp, Matt Blake and Scott Clark are other key players.
DELACOMBE PARK
Coach: Daniel Streker
Captain: Matthew Whelan
Last season: 2nd
In: Tim Clarke (Mt Eliza), Matthew Whelan (Mt Eliza), Ben Bradley-Bridge (Dromana),
Out: Ricky Ramsdale (Pines), Jeremy Weare
Snapshot: The Parkers will field a strong side, especially in the batting department, with Whelan and Clarke adding even more power alongside Nick Christides, Jonny Guthrie and Joel Malcolm.
DROMANA
Coach: Chris Robson
Captain: Ben Brittain
Last season: 3rd
In: Nil
Out: Zacc Klan (Baden Powell), Ben Bradley-Bridge (Delacombe Park)
Snapshot: Ben Brittain, Dewayne Bowden and Jye Voelkl will be key figures in an emerging side. “We’ve got a heap of young blokes turning 18-21 so I’m going to promote the young blokes this year mate. We have huge faith in them to step up,’’ coach Robson says.
FRANKSTON YCW
Captain-coach: Neil Barfuss
Last season: 1st (in Sub District)
In: Paul Filippone (Skye), Mac Hura, Jack Butland (returning), Mitchell DeBruin (Delacombe Park)
Out: Stuart Plunkett
Snapshot: After earning promotion, the Stonecats can continue their resurgence under Neil Barfuss. Talented Levi McLoughlin-Dore and Liam Greenwood will play key roles again.
HASTINGS
Captain-coach: Luke Hewitt
Last season: 5th
In: Amrith Srimahan (Trinity College), Josh Kedwell (Navy), Matt Shean (Navy)
Out: Rob Hearn (Tyabb), Tom Finn (Frankston Peninsula)
Snapshot: The Blues just missed finals last season and should be in contention again. They’ve picked up left-arm paceman Srimahan as well as quality players Josh Kedwell and Matt Shean from the Cerberus Navy base. Luke and Jake Hewitt will lead from the front.
ROSEBUD
Coach: Lyle House
Captain: Billy Quigley
Last season: 6th
In: Lyle House (Mt Eliza), Geoff Glaum (Rye)
Out: Nil
Snapshot: House will bring a winning mindset to the Sharks. “We have a young group that have been together for a few years now. We’re looking to improve from within and be a more consistent side,’’ coach House says.
PEARCEDALE
Captain-coach: Shayne Gillings
Last season: 8th (in Peninsula)
In: Nick Marshall (Somerville), Brad Trotter (Pines), Billy Kennedy (Pines), Sam Frawley (Pines), Josh Swainston (Mulgrave), Nathan Prosser (returning), Shaun Donnelly (Koo Wee Rup), Luke Jennings (returning)
Out: Rohan Capes (Tyabb), Tom Turnock (Langwarrin), Daniel Kelly (Long Island), Josh Rabot (Long Island)
Snapshot: The Dales will improve after bolstering their ranks. “There are so many positives and a lot of talent. We’ve just got to try and get the best out of that talent,’’ skipper Gillings says.
SUB DISTRICT
BALLAM PARK
Coach: Zach Peddersen
Captain: Anthony Joel
Last season: 8th
In: Luke Wenke (Keysborough), Tim Bacic (Coomera), Anthony Joel (Seaford Tigers), Dinusha Yakupuiti (Mill Park), David Cross (Moorabbin West), Mark Miller (returning), Brayden Tisdale (Berwick Springs), Dean Lefevbre (Baxter), Tom Jewell (Devon Meadows), Daniel Fisk-Edwards (Pines)
Out: Nil
Snapshot: After a productive off-season, the Knights are set to take another step forward. “We’ve significantly strengthened again, targeting good people to add to our great culture, no outs and 10-15 players in across the first three grades,’’ coach Peddersen says.
BALNARRING
Coach: James Cato
Captain: Brenton Taylor
Last season: 7th
In: Lucas Symes (Flinders), Justin Brown (returning)
Out: Remy Walker
Snapshot: The Saints will look to further develop their crop of young players. “If we can find a good balance between youth and experience, and we perform more consistently, we’ll enjoy our season,’’ coach Cato says.
BONEO
Coach: Jack Beale and Dave McClean
Captain: Ryan Jellie
Last season: 4th
In: Chris King (Sorrento)
Out: Nil
Snapshot: The Pandas have strengthened their side, with Chris King to be a key player with bat and ball. He hit a rapid 50 in an intra club game last week. Opening batters Chris Jobling and Caolan O’Connor will look to get the side off to a flying start.
CARRUM DOWNS
Coaches: Jum Quarmby, Michael Flahive, Josh Harkness, Shane Smith.
Captain: Jum Quarmby
Last season: 5th
In: Rob Johnston (Noble Park), Tom Smith (Cranbourne Meadows), Shane Deal (Delacombe Park), Gordon Waterfall (Frankston Peninsula), Shane Quinlan (Baxter)
Out: Brad Lockhart (family, but may play later in the season)
Snapshot: The Cougars have added a wealth of depth across the club. They are expecting youngsters Tahj Johnston, Brodie Imlach and Dion Hall-McNish to make the step up as established 1st XI cricketers along with a host of other youngsters pushing up the grades.
MT MARTHA
Captain-coach: Simon Street
Last season: 8th (in District)
In: Jake Smart (returning), Barry Ensil (Oakleigh), Steve O’Neil (returning)
Out: Rhys Whitling (Old Peninsula)
Snapshot: The Reds are shaping up well after being relegated last season, with 2002-03 RM Hatch medallist Barry Ensil and former Victorian under-15 captain Jake Smart to bat in the top four. “We will be very competitive this season,’’ says skipper Street.
RYE
Coach: Brett Matthews
Captain: Jordan Blades
Last season: 10th
In: Ravi Palleguruge (Sorrento), Josh Gana
Out: Geoff Glaum (Rosebud)
Snapshot: The addition of Palleguruge is massive and will see the Demons win more games this season.
SEAFORD
Coach: Scott Manders
Captain: Ryan McQueen
Last season: 2nd
In: Jack Knight (Long Island), Ben Milano (Skye)
Out: Nil
Snapshot: “After making the grand final last season and not being able to play the fire is well and truly lit inside all of us at Seaford,’’ skipper McQueen says. “Expect a fitter and sharper outfit this season, we are striving for top prize. Anything less is a failure.’’
SKYE
Coach: Nick Phillips
Captain: Pat Beckham
Last season: 9th
In: Ant Craddock (returning), Josh Phillips (Merinda Park), Masroor Ahmed (WGCA)
Out: Nil
Snapshot: Skye will be more competitive this season. Look for big seasons from Mandile Zeeshan and Ishi Ahmed with the bat, while Beckham’s new-look left arm spin will be a handful.
TOOTGAROOK
Coach: Jason Lane
Captain: Andrew Libby
Last season: 6th
In: Jake Bradshaw (Noble Park)
Out: Adeel Hussain (Baxter), Conner Hicklin (UK)
Snapshot: The Frogs will again be hard to beat. Their strength is their batting. Jake Bradshaw has returned after 10 seasons with Noble Park in the VSDCA.
TYABB
Coach: Heath Straughair
Captain: Nick Taranto
Last Season: 3rd
Ins: Rob Hearn (Hastings), Malith Chathuranga (Heatherdale), Luke Rus (returning)
Out: Anthony Craddock (Skye), Aaron Edwards (not playing)
Snapshot: With key additions bringing experience, coupled with internal development, the Yabbies look set for an improved season. Look for a big year from Pauly Nelson.
Round 1, DISTRICT
Hastings v Pearcedale
Carrum v Frankston YCW
Crib Point v Delacombe Park
Dromana v Rosebud
SUB DISTRICT
Tootgarook v Mt Martha
Seaford v Tyabb
Ballam Park v Rye
Balnarring v Carrum Downs
Skye v Boneo
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