Premier Cricket 2023-24: Fitzroy Doncaster ‘hitting form at the right time’, coach says

Led by a sizzling season from gun paceman recruit Sean McNicholl, Fitzroy Doncaster is finding its best form at the business end according to the coach.

Gun recruit Sean McNicholl has enjoyed a blistering season with the ball for Fitzroy Doncaster. Picture: Supplied

FINALS beckon for Fitzroy Doncaster as coach Matt Bremner believes his group is “hitting form at the right time”.

The Lions sit sixth on the ladder ahead of the final weekend of the campaign.

Leading the charge with the ball this season has been recruit Sean McNicholl, who sits second for wickets in the competition with 33 at an average of 14.7.

The paceman took 16 scalps for Greenvale last season and is enjoying his best campaign since 2019-20, when he blitzed his way into the Team of the Year with 36 wickets.

A 7-83 haul against ladder-leader Carlton spearheaded his side to victory in Round 16.

“He’s definitely a lock for Team of the Year,” Bremner said.

“It’s not just the wickets he’s taken, it’s the players he’s got out. He takes multiple wickets in his first spell and a lot of first-over wickets as well which is an incredible feat.

“Actions do the talking for him.

“He’s relentless, consistent and reliable – he’s everything we hoped we would get.”

The Lions took the first innings against St Kilda on Saturday and have won three matches in a row.

Putting up 4-160, they knocked their finals rival over for 125 led by Kobe Smith with 4-21 alongside McNicholl with 4-44, while Ethan Boyd and Matt Whittaker also took a scalp each.

Bremner said the two-day format had helped his side’s rise.

“If we lost to St Kilda then they take our spot in the eight – our finals started this round and we feel the more pressure that’s on us, the better we play,” Bremner said.

“We feel like the two-day format is our best format.

“We’ve had a few things that haven’t gone our way earlier this year … we’ve had two draws in red-ball cricket and then to beat Carlton was a great result for us.

“We didn’t play great cricket against Greenvale but we found a way to get over the line which good teams do.

“We’re definitely hitting form at the right time.”

UK import Fletcha Middleton has returned home following a calf injury. He made 420 runs this season. Picture: Andy Brownbill

UK import Fletcha Middleton has returned home following a calf injury, but the Lions have looked to a string of emerging names this season, including Ethan Boyd and Alex Bychkov.

Bychkov was a late call-up for the Carlton match in Round 16, but slotted in seamlessly, hitting the winning 21 runs. He followed up with 22 the next round in a grinding win against Greenvale.

Paceman Boyd has 12 wickets in the Second XI from 10 appearances while also earning a call-up in three top-flight matches for three scalps.

“They’re not just filling a spot, they’re contributing and performing at the level that’s required,” Bremner said.

“In the past couple of seasons when we’ve lost a few players to injury in the First XI, we’ve slightly battled to have that depth come in and contribute to First XI wins.

“We’ve got great depth and that shows on the Club Championship – we’re sitting first going into this last round.”