Named: The players to decide MPCA premierships
Finals begin in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association this weekend. We identify the game-changers in Provincial, Peninsula, District and Sub District.
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The stakes are high as the MPCA finals hit off this Saturday, with everything on the line.
It’s an opportunity for players to rise to inspire their teams, potentially leading them to premiership triumph.
Who will be the game-changer for your club?
PROVINCIAL
Rick Damiano, Langwarrin
Has been solid, with 340 runs, including three half-centuries, in his first season in the MPCA. But the finals could be the stage for the VSDCA champion to excel.
Simon Dart, Red Hill
With a competition-high 576 runs, as well as 25 wickets, the former Victorian player has had dominant campaign and could lead the Hillmen to back-to-back flags.
Jack Fowler, Dromana
The former Premier paceman has bowled with venom this season to take 26 wickets, including a six-wicket haul and two bags of four. And with the bat he’s blasted some quick runs at No. 5.
Sam Fowler, Dromana
Finals will bring out the best in the Hoppers captain. With two brilliant centuries this season, Fowler has racked up 522 runs at the top of the order while his lively medium pace has netted 21 wickets, including some big scalps.
Connor Jackson, Pines
A quality young player who has racked up 455 runs at No. 3, including 130, 88 and 51. Can make a name for himself in the finals.
Pat Jackson, Pines
Reliable and consistent seamer who leads the Piners’ wicket tally with 26, and he’s always good for runs down the order.
Brent Martin, Red Hill
Martin’s left-arm spinners (28 wickets) are crucial for Red Hill, and his defiant batting in the middle order should not be underestimated.
Harley Peace-Stirling, Pines
Peeled off three successive half-centuries mid-season and geared up for finals with a crisp 66 last week, taking his season tally to 439. Vital to Pines at No. 4.
Matt Prosser, Langwarrin
The four-time Wedgwood medal winner has taken 25 wickets with his leggies while churning out 507 runs, at 50, at the top of the order.
Andrew Smith, Langwarrin
Has returned to Langy from Seaford as a front-line paceman. Took bags of wickets before Christmas and made the Country Week side. He’ll be keen to build on his tally of 28 wickets (at 16) for Langy as they chase glory.
Kierran Voelkl, Dromana
The Country Week captain started the season with a knock of 92no and has hit his straps in recent rounds with 95 and 56. Has 407 runs at 37 and will be crucial for the Hoppers in the top order.
PENINSULA
Tom Baron, Mt Eliza
The experienced left-armer has proven a headache for opposition batsmen, gathering a comp-high 35 wickets at 13, including a seven-for and two bags of five.
Michael Burke, Long Island
With eight scores above 20 this season, Burke is a key figure in the Islanders’ top order. Puts a high price on his wicket.
Jean-Luc Talbot, Mt Eliza
Leads the competition in runs with 506 at 50, including knocks of 89, 94 and 105. A wholehearted cricketer who gives it everything.
Josh Goudge, Mt Eliza
The classy right hander has had an excellent summer with 382 runs at 47. Can bat for long periods of time.
Jarrod Hicks, Rosebud
A valuable part of the Sharks’ premiership quest, capable of influencing a match as an opening batsman or with his crafty off spin.
Rueben Higgins, Mt Eliza
One half of a potent new-ball attack along with Tom Baron, Higgins has collected 34 wickets at 14, regularly making early breakthroughs.
Bryce McGain, Mornington
The former Australian Test leg-spinner returns to the Bulldogs side for the finals after playing in the International Masters League in India.
Aiden McKenna, Long Island
The Victorian Country XI batsman-keeper is a match-winner with his clean hitting at the top of the order.
Ash Nagel, Rosebud
He has claimed 27 wickets at an average of 14, consistently challenging the batsmen while maintaining economical bowling.
Patrick Nagel, Rosebud
An all-round threat, Nagel has steamrolled opposition batting line-ups with his accurate seamers while also playing vital innings in the Sharks’ middle order.
Charlie Parker, Mornington
Rushed past 400 runs for the season with a match-winning 76no against Long Island last month. Has also been outstanding behind the stumps with 21 dismissals.
Brendan Walsh, Mornington
The Ringwood triple premiership all-rounder has led Mornington with distinction, taking 34 wickets at 8.56 with his left-arm spinners, including 7-34 recently. He’s also made handy contributions with the bat.
Zac Wilson, Long Island
Dynamic with bat and consistent with ball, Wilson is a proven big-game performer sure to be vital in March. He smacked 6 sixes in his 101 off 84 balls against Seaford.
DISTRICT
Shaun Cairns, Flinders
The experienced left-armer has played an important role for the Sharks, taking key wickets and bowling economically. Can also score handy runs in the tail.
Sam Field, Flinders
After his stunning Country Week campaign, the 15-year-old is determined to help the Sharks achieve finals success. With Flinders, Field is averaging 53, having scored 588 runs, including an unbeaten 146 against Main Ridge.
Luke Hewitt, Balnarring
The Saints captain has had another outstanding season with 479 runs at 68, and 16 wickets at 12. Now he’s setting his sights on finals success.
Robert Johnston, Carrum Downs
Has been a key player in the Cougars’ top spot finish with match-winning performances with bat and ball, including 94 and 112no with the bat and 4-30 with his offies.
Ben King, Balnarring
The big all-rounder has been a leading performer since returning from French Island this season, playing a key role at the top of the batting list (408 runs) and also with the ball (17 wickets).
Dilasri Lokubandara, Boneo
If you don’t get him out early you could pay dearly. The powerful right-hander blitzed 100 off 64 balls against Main Ridge and put away 14 boundaries on his way to 111 against Baxter.
Luke Reynolds, Flinders
The emerging all-rounder has taken some big wickets and played some defiant innings in the lower order.
Samson Storey, Boneo
Has been excellent with bat and ball, making 372 runs and taking 19 wickets. The stylish opener regularly gets the Pandas off to a strong start, while his lively medium pace bowling can be game-changing.
Gordon Waterfall, Carrum Downs
The run machine has scored six half-centuries in a row following an unbeaten century. Leads the competition run chart with 674 at 67. And he’s taken 21 wickets with his spin, at 13.
SUB-DISTRICT
Callum Bradford, Frankston YCW
The Stonecats No. 3 has been a consistent performer all season, compiling 359 runs at 35.
Adam Ciavarella, Rye
Has moulded Rye into a genuine contender with his leadership, while proving to be a key figure with bat and ball (he’s taken 24 wickets).
Branden Fillis, Frankston YCW
The off-spinner leads the Stonecats’ wickets tally with 21. He captured five wickets against Rye, YC’s opponent in the semi-final.
Travis French, Tootgarook
Peeled off an unbeaten century last month and has 393 runs opening the batting for the Frogs. And has taken 19 catches and a stumping.
Kaedyn Hodgson, Frankston YCW
Showed his class by making 103 in a crunch match earlier this month, and his underrated offies could be valuable in finals.
James Holland-Burch, Tyabb
Leads the Yabbies’ bowling attack expertly, taking wickets regularly. And has played several vital knocks down the order.
Lachlan Hose, Tyabb
The young left-arm spinner has racked up a stunning 39 wickets, at 11, including a six-for and three five-wicket hauls. Looms as a huge March performer.
Nathan Hunt, Rye
Always dangerous at the top of the Demons’ batting order. Hits a hard, clean ball, and can go big.
Evin Parslow, Tootgarook
Crucial to the Frogs, with both bat and ball. Has taken 20 wickets and made 178 runs, including several vital knocks in the middle order.
Ravi Palleguruge, Rye
The champion spinner has taken 32 wickets this season, and also made 345 runs with the bat, including successive half-centuries in the lead-up to finals.
Udara Ravindu, Tyabb
After a slow start to the season, the right-hander has really hit his stride, with recent scores of 110, 50, 58 and 43, batting at No. 3.
Matthew Whelan, Tootgarook
The champion all-rounder has been dynamic at No. 3 with 448 runs, at 40, while taking 23 wickets.
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