Premier Cricket: Sean McNicholl, Zac Elliott link with Fitzroy Doncaster

A former Premier Cricket Team of the Year paceman has linked with Fitzroy Doncaster, while a club favourite has returned ...

Fitzroy Doncaster has quickly turned its attention to recruiting with a pair of gun names putting pen to paper.

The Lions have welcomed back batsman Zac Elliott after three years in the Tasmanian Premier comp with Clarence, while paceman Sean McNicholl has crossed from rival Greenvale.

Elliott, the son of former Test batsman Matthew, last played a full season for Fitzroy Doncaster in 2019-20 with the left-handed opener lighting it up with 581 runs at an average of 41.5 – including an effort of 163 before shipping off to Tasmania.

Zac Elliott unloads for the Lions. Picture: Arj Giese

Fitzroy Doncaster captain Ejaaz Alavi said the club favourite would be “adding further depth to our batting group” and is set to combine with the likes of Liam Banthorpe, Noah Korkolis and Jack Rudd who each sailed past 400 runs this season.

“He (Elliott) had been a strong player for us at the top of the order for a few seasons before moving to Tassie,” Alavi said.

McNicholl blitzed his way into the Premier Team of the Year in 2019-20, hauling in 36 wickets as a 21-year-old.

He took 16 scalps for the Kangaroos this season after 21 in 2021-22.

Sean McNicholl sends one down for Greenvale. Picture: Hamish Blair

The Lions missed the finals this season, finishing in 10th spot, but the skipper is bullish McNicholl’s addition could also help the First XI improve on its seven-win campaign.

Existing connections helped the right-armer to the club.

“He’s a bit of a local northern suburbs boy, I played against him as a junior and know of him through mutual friends and our vice-captain Liam Banthorpe knows him as well … (McNicholl) played at the same UK club as Liam just last season,” Alavi said.

“He’s had a lot of strong seasons over the years at Greenvale as an opening bowler … we’re always looking to add depth to the squad and increase competition for spots.

“We want to work our way up the ladder and we think he’s going to be a great addition to help us do that.”

Fitzroy Doncaster farewelled retiring dual flag mentor Mick O’Sullivan at the end of the season – with premiership Lion Matt Bremner recently appointed to replace the coaching great.

Bremner featured in the club’s First XI flag in 2015-16 and brings a wealth of experience from the Cricket Victoria pathways program.

“It’s exciting – we’re looking forward to him taking over in the role and he’s got some great plans in place going forward,” Alavi said.