MPCA: Dromana appoints Jack Fowler as coach, chases recruits

After securing Jack Fowler as coach, Dromana is poised to add a former first-class paceman and a Mornington Peninsula young gun.

Jack Fowler at full tilt for Dandenong in the 2020-21 Premier Cricket grand final. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Dromana could boast the strongest bowling attack in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association next season.

The return of club favourite son Jack Fowler, as coach, after three seasons of Premier Cricket will add a sharp edge to the Hoppers’ bowling.

But it might only be the first piece of exciting news for last season’s District semi-finalists.

Since taking the Dromana job, Fowler has been chasing recruits and, although there have been no signings yet, things look promising.

Kingston Hawthorn fast bowler Alex Deuchar has emerged as a chance to join the Hoppers.

Deuchar, 28, is originally from the UK but has played at Mt Waverley (captaining the club’s inaugural 1st XI premiership in 2015-16) and in recent seasons at the Hawks, whom he also captained.

Alex Deuchar bowling for Mount Waverley.

A Durham Cricket Academy graduate, he played two first-class games for the centre of excellence, as well as a handful of 2nd XI trial games for Worcester and Northants.

Mornington opening bowler Rueben Higgins is another potential recruit for Dromana.

“I’ve met up with him and had a beer and it seems like he’d fit in really well,” Fowler said of Higgins.

“I think he wants someone to put a bit of time into him so hopefully he can take his cricket a bit further.

“I think that’s something I can do for him, being a bowler myself.”

Fowler said teenage Dromana leg-spinner Chris Vervoorst, who played two games in Frankston Peninsula’s thirds at the end of last season, was likely to remain at the Hoppers next season — further bolstering the bowling attack, which will feature skipper Ben Brittain and Fowler.

“That’s pretty big for us,” Fowler said of the likelihood of Vervoorst staying.

Jack Fowler bowling for Dandenong in the grand final. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Fowler made 25 First XI appearances for Kingston Hawthorn in two seasons and was rated among the most exciting prospects in Premier Cricket — with bat and ball — before crossing to Dandenong last season.

He played in the Panthers’ finals campaign, including the grand final against Prahran last month.

Residing in Rosebud, Fowler said the travel factor — and the fact he’s just started his own plumbing business — played a part in his decision to return to his local club.

“It’s almost a five-hour turnaround after work, you drive an hour to training, then train and drive home,” he said.

“I guess if you want to play at that level you’ve got to do it.”

Fowler bats for Dromana in 2016. Picture: Richard Serong

Fowler said he “loved” his time in Premier Cricket and might one day have another crack at it.

But for now he’s happy to be back at Dromana.

“I always said to them (Dromana) I’d go back and play there,” he said.

“I didn’t know exactly when. But I’ve started my own business so it’s probably the right time to go back and focus on that.

“I think I’ll go back to Premier Cricket, whether it be in a few years time, I’d like to play it again.”

Fowler last played for Dromana in 2017-18 when the Hoppers finished runner-up in the Sub District grand final.

The Hoppers won the flag the following season but Fowler missed being part of it because he’d left to play at Kingston Hawthorn.

“Hopefully we will have a crack at one next season,’’ he said.