MPCA Sub-District preview: Ins, outs, captains, key players

Mt Martha, Frankston YCW and Rye are among the title contenders ahead of the 2024-25 MPCA Sub-District season. We’ve previewed every club’s chances.

It starts on Saturday...

Mt Martha, Frankston YCW and Rye are among the title contenders ahead of the 2024-25 MPCA Sub-District season.

We’ve previewed every club’s chances.

BALLAM PARK

Coach: Luke Mulder

Captain: Will Borthwick

Ins: Pubudu Edirisinghe (Skye), Gerard Selvam (Coomoora), Jason Hannah (Frankston YCW), Tom Carey (Whitchurch Heath, Wales)

Out: nil

Key players: Will Borthwick, Pubudu Edirisinghe, Zach Clements, Ezra Hughes, Tom Carey

Snapshot: Look for the Knights to improve under the coaching of Luke Mulder. Skipper Will Borthwick, gun recruit Pubudu Edirisinghe and overseas all-rounder Tom Carey are ones to watch.

Pubudu Edirisinghe has joined the Knights. Picture: Valeriu Campan

DELACOMBE PARK

Coach: Ash Walker

Captain: Daniel Streker

Ins: nil

Out: Andrew Stapleton (overseas), Nick Hammel (interstate), Dylan Gray (Frankston Peninsula)

Key players: Jonny Guthrie, Daniel Streker, Max Sherry, Joel Malcolm, Mark McDonald

Snapshot: After being relegated last season, the Parkers have lost several key players. Also, gun all-rounder Flynn Walker is sidelined until Christmas after breaking his arm playing footy, while Max Sherry has a bunch of weddings in the first half of the season. But the club’s twos won the premiership last season and some of those players will step up to the ones, including talented all-rounder Mark McDonald.

Ash Walker is coaching Delacombe Park this season. Picture: Valeriu Campan

FRANKSTON YCW

Coach: Simon Draycott

Assistant coaches: Dan Salvato and Dean Henwood

Captain: Jack Greenwood

Ins: Dean Henwood (Cardinia), Dan Salvato (Cardinia), Levi McLoughlin-Dore (Heatherhill)

Out: nil

Key players: Justin Little, Kaedyn Hodgson, Josh Edwards, Ben Williams, Simon Draycott, Jack Greenwood, Jack Santon, Dean Henwood

Snapshot: The Stonecats have the talent to go far this season. Former Country Week spinner Levi McLoughlin-Dore has returned. Genuine contenders.

Jack Santon bowling for Frankston YCW. Picture: Valeriu Campan

MT MARTHA

Coach: Rob Birnie

Captain: Ryan Harrison

Ins: Rob Birnie (Long Island), Ryan Harrison (Main Ridge), Harry Mount (UK), Jono Coyne (returning)

Out: Thomas Walker (UK), Evan Williams (UK), Elliot Lord (North Cairns)

Key players: Ryan Harrison, Matt Pollock, Charlie Caldecott, Harry Mount, Maxim McKenzie

Snapshot: Last season’s runners-up have had a solid preparation with healthy numbers throughout pre-season. The Reds have lost some key players but with a new coach and captain and a young squad they can push for high honours.

Rob Birnie sends down a fizzing leg-spinner. He is Mt Martha’s new coach.

RYE

Captain/Coach: Adam Ciavarella

Vice-captains: Jack Harris and Calder McKenzie

Ins: Adam Ciavarella (Dromana), Charlie Wigg (Sorrento), Madawa Perera & Sash Gunathunga (Skye)

Out: nil

Key players: Nathan Hunt, Jacob Long, Calder McKenzie, Ravi Palleguruge, Charlie Wigg, Jack Harris, Sash Gunathunga

Snapshot: The Demons are set to make a charge towards the finals after adding young paceman Charlie Wigg and wicket-taking Sash Gunathunga. Nathan Hunt blasted four centuries and almost 700 runs last season and will be the big wicket rivals will be chasing.

Ravi Palleguruge.

SKYE

Coach: Jason Baluch

Captain: Anthony Craddock

Ins. Anthony Craddock (Pearcedale), Pat Beckham (Pearcedale)

Out: Shabaaz Alam, Pubudu Edirisinghe (Ballam Park), Sashika Gunathunga (Rye), Farhan Hussain

Key players: Dave Dervan, Anthony Craddock, Patrick Beckham, Nick Phillips.

Snapshot: Skye contested the finals last season but has lost several leading players since. The return of Anthony Craddock and Pat Beckham will help, though.

Patrick Beckham has returned to Skye from Pearcedale. Picture: Valeriu Campan

TOOTGAROOK

Coach: Danny Heylbut

Captain: Evin Parslow

Ins: Danny Heylbut (Rosebud), Dieter Heylbut (Rosebud), Wayde Heylbut (Rosebud)

Out: Anthony Bos (Boneo), Cam Peirce (Boneo)

Key players: Matthew Whelan, Travis French, Evin Parslow, Scott Sterling, Dieter Heylbut

Snapshot: The Frogs have a new coach and captain — and if they can win those close contests this season they can give the top four a nudge.

Evin Parslow.

Justin Bridgeman.

TYABB

Captain-coach: Justin Bridgeman

Ins: Udara Ravindu (Bulleen), Ryan Regan (Hastings), George Read (UK), Jayden Regan (Hastings), Tyler Regan (Hastings)

Out: Sam Holland-Burch (Long Island), Alex Thornhill, Rob Hearn (Moorooduc), Jake Mialitsis (Crib Point), Malith Chathuranga, Josh Guinea (Merinda Park)

Key players: Lachlan Hose, George Read, Udara Ravindu, James Holland-Burch, Jarrod White, Ryan Regan

Snapshot: The Yabbies will rely on gun spinner Lachlan Hose, who took 49 wickets at 9.9 last season. Good things are also expected from overseas player George Read.

ROUND 1, Saturday, October 5: Rye v Mt Martha, Skye v Delacombe Park, Frankston YCW v Ballam Park, Tyabb v Tootgarook.