Premier Cricket 2023-24: Richmond skipper backs youth, experience in finals fight

Richmond captain Sam Mills will lead his side into a finals campaign in his first season at the helm this weekend, as the Tiges look to square the ledger with Fitzroy Doncaster.

Richmond’s Reiley Mark took 8-45 last weekend, taking his season wicket total to 21 at an average of 18.76. Picture: Valeriu Campan

RICHMOND will be out to turn the tables on Fitzroy Doncaster in a cut-throat final this weekend.

The Tigers meet a Lions outfit fresh off four wins in a row, and will be looking to reverse a 129-run Round 3 drubbing suffered in the pair’s last meeting.

“They certainly beat us convincingly, but I think both teams look pretty different since that game,” Richmond captain Sam Mills said.

“We can take a bit out of it, especially playing at Schramms (Reserve).”

Wary of a Lions side brimming with talent, Mills is all too familiar of the firepower with bat and ball that awaits.

“Sean McNicholl’s been a key bowler for them, their captain Ejaaz (Alavi) who’s been going around for a long time now, he’s a very good captain and bowler as well.

“When we played them last time Zac Elliott got 100, Liam Banthorpe got 100 last round as well.”

But the skipper believes his charges are more than capable of causing the hosts plenty of headaches.

Young spinner Reiley Mark fired with 8-45 in the final-round clash with Frankston Peninsula, while the seasons of Brendan Rose (31 wickets at 14.03) and Jonathan D’Rozario (386 runs at 35.09) have also impressed the coach.

Brendan Rose sends one down for the Tigers. Picture: Alan Barber

“’Rosey’ has been great all campaign and a really consistent performer – I’m sure he’s in for a big finals series,” Mills said.

“’Jono’ has had a bit of a breakout year and Reiley Mark took eight-for (on the weekend), so he’s in pretty good form as well. I think our team’s a bit more settled than it was at the start of the season.”

Recruit Rhys Healy (304 runs at 38) and Andrew Humphries (324 at 36) have also starred, with the pair putting on 91 and 102 respectively in a recent clash with Melbourne.

Mills has 18 scalps for the campaign at 17.28, in his first season as captain.

“It’s pleasing to make finals in my first year as captain which was a bit of a goal,” he said.

“I learnt a lot (about leadership) over the last few years – having Dom Matarazzo as captain, I definitely learnt a lot from Dom and even when I was younger, (from) Alan Wise and Sam Taylor.

“I’ve found it (the captaincy) really enjoyable, it’s been great and an honour to get the chance to do it this year.

“Hopefully we can really give this a crack – we think we’re in a good spot.”

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