PREMIER CRICKET: Rams coach Sean Flynn backs club depth to cover for loss of stars
Victorian Premier Cricket outfit Ringwood must now look to fill the void left by two of its First XI following its latest departure, but coach Sean Flynn is confident he knows how...
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Ringwood coach Sean Flynn is confident his club can quickly overcome the loss of two of its First XI stars, ahead of a hopeful summer of cricket.
Opening fast-bowler and premiership player Matt Fotia is the latest departure from Jubilee Park, having accepted a playing-assistant coaching role with Tasmanian top-flight club, Glenorchy.
He follows the recent farewell of fellow fast-bowler Michael Topp, who has landed at rival Victorian Premier club, Northcote.
Fotia said his decision surrounded the assurance of a season in Tasmania, coupled with an exciting development opportunity.
“There’s no confidence or no lock for a full season or a genuine season in Victoria,” he said.
“They’re excited to have me and in terms of coaching development, being able to come in as an assistant and play a different role that I have in the past, it’ll be good for my development.”
Ringwood coach Sean Flynn said the fast-bowler leaves with the club’s backing.
“We’re hoping it goes really well, but we’re open-minded with how long it could be for … we wouldn’t be surprised at all if he forced his way into the Tasmanian set-up, but time will tell,” he said.
But the incoming coach believes his club has the depth to cover for the loss of two of its pacemen.
“I guess we’re lucky with the strength in our all-rounders, with David King, the Ryder medallist from last season, and Ian Holland, we’ll have to call on those guys even more so,” Flynn said.
“It certainly provides some great opportunities for emerging fast-bowlers.
“Sam Beer had a taste of First XI cricket last season and showed that he was up to the level in the games that he played, and we’ve got Zak Evans, we’re waiting to get a bit more clarity around the first-class schedule, he’s a Victorian player so we think we’ve got a bit of cover in that area.
“Jackson Freeman has still got some overs to offer and Josh Hudson is a new player so we’re still confident in our fast-bowling stocks.”
Flynn said the Rams weren’t active in the market to recruit and would back its existing talent.
“We’ll definitely just be backing in our stocks – recruiting’s really difficult at the best of times and we’ve got such a strong competition around us in the RDCA and a lot of good young players coming up through that.
“We’re not really looking to recruit from other clubs, we’ll be backing in the players that we’ve got.”