Premier Cricket 2023-24: How Fitzroy Doncaster is shaping for finals return

A string of players are peaking at the business end of the season, while a state-listed paceman could make a return for Fitzroy Doncaster’s first final.

Fitzroy Doncaster’s Liam Banthorpe blasted an unbeaten 102 last round against St Kilda. Picture: Valeriu Campan

It’s a return to a familiar stage for Fitzroy Doncaster – and the captain has declared “we’ll be ready”.

The Lions will battle Richmond in a 6 v. 7 elimination final this weekend following a last-round victory over St Kilda.

They last met the Tigers in Round 3, with the Lions prevailing by 129 runs spearheaded by Zac Elliott with an unbeaten 103.

Fitzroy Doncaster captain Ejaaz Alavi is under no illusions about the hurdle posed by a Richmond side flush with talent, including young spinner Reiley Mark fresh off an 8-45 haul, experienced paceman Brendan Rose (31 wickets) and emerging batsman Jonathan D’Rosario, fast closing in on 400 runs.

“You take a lot of confidence out of those types of games (Round 3), but that game’s gone and we start afresh this weekend,” Alavi said.

“They’ll be wanting to turn the tables on last time and we’ll be ready for that – none-for-none plays none-for-none.

“It’s always a good test in finals – it’s going to be a challenge in Richmond, they’ve been a strong team for a number of years now.”

But the skipper has confidence in the Lions’ weapons.

Former Greenvale paceman Sean McNicholl has collected 38 wickets in his debut season for the club, while Zac Elliott is in sight of 500 runs, driving 470 at an average of 39.

Zac Elliott is closing in on 500 runs for the season. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Everyone’s contributed at different times and helped us to get different wins – everyone’s primed, full of confidence and playing their best cricket at the right time of year,” Alavi said.

“Whether it’s the guys that have had a great year so far, or it might be someone else who steps up, that’s the great thing about us.”

Victorian-listed quick Sam Elliott is a wait-and-see prospect for this weekend after suffering a side injury in a state match earlier this month.

The 24-year-old has taken 21 wickets at an average of 23.29 this season across 12 matches – including four in the two-day bout with the Tigers earlier in the campaign.

“He was the player of the (Australia) One-Day Cup, he’s had a fantastic season and a player like that gives us heaps of depth in batting and bowling,” Alavi said.

Top-order bat Liam Banthorpe saved his biggest performance of the season for the final home-and-away weekend, knocking an unbeaten 102 to lift his season-total to 454 runs.

“It was a hugely impressive hundred against a good (St Kilda) bowling attack and he’s primed at the right time of year and ready to go, taking a lot of confidence into finals,” Alavi said.

And speaking of making an impression, Kobe Smith stepped up for his first top-flight appearance of the campaign last round, with spells of 4-21 and 3-34.

“It’s been a strength of the club this season – Kobe’s been a strong performer in the first grade for a number of years now, played in the seconds all year this year, but knowing you have that type of experience coming in, you know they’re going to have an impact,” Alavi said.

Finals experience runs deep through a Lions’ line-up which finished a game clear in sixth spot, after missing the eight last season.

“It’s really exciting to be back there, and we’ve got a fair few players who have had a lot of finals experience which adds a bit of extra confidence to the group,” Alavi said.

“We’ll be giving it everything we have and hopefully there’s four more weeks of cricket left in us.”

Elimination final: Fitzroy Doncaster vs. Richmond, March 2-3 at Schramms Reserve.