MPCA Provincial ins, outs, players to watch ahead of season 2024-25

Reigning champs Red Hill and a hungry Pines are expected to set the pace in what shapes as a competitive Provincial division of the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association. Here’s a club-by-club assessment.

Reigning premiers Red Hill is the team to beat in a strong Provincial division of the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association in 2024-25.

But the challengers are lining up to have a shot at the title, with Pines, Old Peninsula, Langwarrin, Baden Powell, Sorrento, Heatherhill and reigning Peninsula premiers Dromana to go into the season with positive vibes.

Here’s a club-by-club assessment of how the teams shape up for Round 1.

BADEN POWELL

Coach: Craig Entwistle

Captain: Rhys Elmi

In: Taylor Harrison (Knox Gardens)

Out: Ben Frith

Key players: Rhys Elmi, Dale Elmi, Travis Kellerman, Jack Gorbert

Snapshot: The Braves, after missing finals last season, move back to Overport 1 oval after it was refurbished. Look for them to contend, with Taylor Harrison back to boost the bowling.

Rhys Elmi in action for Baden Powell. Picture: Valeriu Campan

DROMANA

Coach: Zacc Klan

Captain: Sam Fowler

In: Madu Perera (Moorooduc)

Key players: Bobby Wilson, Sam Fowler, Kierran Voelkl, Jye Voelkl, Dale Irving, Beau Anthony

Snapshot: Dominated last season to win the Peninsula flag. With an abundance of talent and match-winners, the step up to Provincial shouldn’t hold any fears.

Dromana celebrate winning the 2023-24 MPCA Peninsula premiership.

HEATHERHILL

Coach: a panel of senior players
Captain: Sammy Mullavey/Kristian Miller

In: Sammy Mullavey (Parkdale), Adeel Hussain, Sithum Peiris (Haig Fawkner), James Spencer (Leigh on Sea, UK)

Out: Neil Barfuss (retired), Levi Mcloughlin-Dore (Frankston YCW), Dan Hille (Flinders)

Key players: Kristian Miller, Sammy Mullavey, Jake Theobald, Tyler Neal, Brett Maxwell, Adeel Hussain

Snapshot: After narrowly avoiding relegation, the Hills will be stronger, with premiership stars Sammy Mullavey and Adeel Hussain important inclusions. James Spencer captains his club back in the UK and is said to bowl at a good clip and is a player to watch.

Brett Maxwell bowling for Heatherhill. Picture: Valeriu Campan

LANGWARRIN

Co-coaches: Trevor Johnston and Jake Prosser

Captain: Ricky Damiano

Ins: Ricky Damiano (Brighton), Andrew Smith (Seaford), Brodie Matthews (Frankston Peninsula), Jack Marget (Knox Gardens)

Out: Jackson Mockett

Key players: Ricky Damiano, Matt Prosser, Kylan Mitchell, Trav Campbell, Taylor Smith, Sam Prosser, Andrew Smith, Brodie Matthews

Snapshot: The arrival of VSDCA champion Ricky Damiano (23 Subbies tons) whips up great excitement and interest in the competition. He will take on the bowlers, and skipper the side. Champion all-rounder Matty Prosser is going for a fifth successive Wedgwood Medal.

Ricky Damiano of Brighton bats. (Photo/Julian Smith)

OLD PENINSULA

Captain-coach: Elias Karageorgiou

Vice-captain and T20 skipper: Tom La Brooy

Out: Matt Stone (Frankston Peninsula), Leo Steenholdt (Frankston Peninsula)

Key players: Justin Grant, Tom La Brooy, John Forrest, Bailey Payze, Dylan O’Malley

Snapshot: The Pirates hope to get a full season out of John Forrest and James La Brooy while exciting youngsters Bailey Payze, Hugh Peacock, Zac Bauer and Will Forrest will play greater roles.

Zac Bauer batting for the Pirates. Picture: Valeriu Campan

PINES

Coaches: Jamie Jewiss, Billy Humphrey

Captain: Billy Humphrey

Chairman of selectors: Ricky Ramsdale

T20 captain: Connor Jackson

Out: Kane Hawkins, Nick Wilcox (retired)

Key players: Harley Peace-Stirling, Billy Humphrey, Patrick Jackson, Connor Jackson, Nick Christides

Snapshot: The Piners fell at the final hurdle last season but will be hungry to go one better. Look for talented youngster Jesse Jewiss to have a big season now he’s injury free.

RED HILL

Coach: Neil Robertson

Captain: Glenn Collett

In: Lincoln Toy (Delatite)

Out: Chris Weeks

Key players: Glenn Collett, Simon Dart, Brent Martin, Chris Dew, Riley Shaw, Rhys Hewitt

Snapshot: The reigning premiers are the team to beat, although skipper and gun bat Chris Weeks doesn’t look like playing (sore knees). He will still be around the club helping out. Premiership player Lincoln Toy is a welcome addition.

Red Hill celebrate last season's MPCA Provincial premiership.

Jake Wood of Sorrento appeals. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

SORRENTO

Captain-coach: Dimitri Mascarenhas

Ins: Dimitri Mascarenhas (Vermont), Ollie Hanrahan (Prahran), Jedd Falck (returning after a year off), Ryder Crawley (Moorabbin), Josh Niklaus (Blackburn South), Campbell Robertson (Mt Martha), Logan Robertson (Mt Martha)

Outs: Seb Gotch, Luke Kranzbuhler (Frankston Peninsula), Will Jewell (Rosebud), Charlie Wigg (Rye)

Key players: Jake Wood, Ollie Hanrahan, James Rulach, Matthew Rulach, Corey Harris, Mitch Bench, Jedd Falck

Snapshot: Former England international Dimitri Mascarenhas takes charge of a Sharks side that made the semi-finals last season. Nick Jamieson (ex-Glen Iris) is one to watch, while Caey South Melbourne fast bowler Nathan Lambden will be Sorrento’s marquee player in the T20s.

ROUND 1:

Saturday, October 5 (One-day match, 12.30pm): Old Peninsula v Heatherhill, Red Hill v Pines, Dromana v Sorrento, Baden Powell v Langwarrin.