Spotswood records historic finals win
Spotswood has sung the praises of its bowlers including one who has “gone to another level” as they recorded a historic first on the weekend but an injury to a key player overshadowed the result.
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Spotswood is embracing every moment as it moved a step closer to a maiden Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association grand final appearance.
The East-West minor premier set up a semi-final date with Williamstown with a dominant 178-run victory over Endeavour Hills at the weekend.
The win was Spotswood’s first finals victory since crossing to the competition from the Victorian Turf Cricket Association at the start of last season.
And as he has done all season, coach Dan Schuppan encouraged his players to celebrate every victory.
In particular, it was Spotty’s bowling group who earned praise from their mentor after a powerful display saw Endeavour Hills bowed out for 84.
“A few people internally though our bowling might have been a bit weaker but at the start of the season but I was always confident we had strong stocks,” Schuppan said.
“Jackson Wadden is a young guy who has gone to another level. Sammy Hope came across from Essendon mid-season and has fitted in beautifully.
“I think a few people would envy us having such a quality first change bowler. Every week they’ve delivered for us when we’ve needed and did it again on the weekend.”
Spotswood’s victory didn’t come without its concerns though with Matthew Sazenis in danger of missing the sem-final through injury.
Schuppan said a decision would be made on his availability later in the week.
“Whatever happens we’re confident if someone else does come in, they’ll be able to do a job for us,” he said.
“It’s taken a whole squad effort to get here, you can’t just win every game with 11. As I’ve spoken about before, our depth has improved dramatically this season.”
Despite finishing the season on top of the ladder, Schuppan suggested Williamstown could “almost go in as favourites” this weekend due to the previous meetings between the two sides.
The Seagulls won this season’s clash by three wickets after rolling Spotty for just 63.
Meanwhile last season, Williamstown had Spotswood all out for 101.
“They’ve smacked us in the past couple of years,” Schuppan said.
“We have nothing but respect for Williamstown, they’ve had our measure the last couple of years and are always tough.
“We understand the challenge ahead of us and we’re ready to embrace it.”
HISTORY AWAITS SPOTSWOOD
It’s amazing how much can change in 12 months.
Spotswood is the perfect example.
A year ago, Dan Schuppan and his players were licking their wounds after falling out of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association finals race despite sitting on top at Christmas.
But they’ll now enter this season’s finals as the team to beat after finishing on top of the east-west group ahead of competition powerhouse Werribee.
Spotswood cemented the minor premiership with a win over Bayswater on Saturday.
And Schuppan believes it’s still important for the players to live in the moment.
“We know there’s a bigger prize to play for but it’s important you acknowledge the season you’ve had so far,” he said.
“When we sat down at the start of the season, we wanted to put a plan in place to avoid suffering a similar fate to last season. The big thing for us was winning the key moments in games for longer and we managed to do that.
“In the past, if we had of been 5-90 we might have rolled over but we didn’t do that this season, we fought through those challenges.
“That came down to the growth from within the club. When guys are coming up from the lower grades, they aren’t just filling a hole, we expect them to perform and a play a role.
“In the past, we might not have had that and that’s what changed this season. It’s why we’re in the position we’re in.”
One player who has underlined that attitude is Nick Bartol who took out the club’s McCarthy Medal — the senior men’s best-and-fairest — on Saturday night.
Bartol got the better of Schuppan who finished in second, one vote further back.
It was a simple swapping of places between the pair after the Spotswood coach took home the award in season 2021-22.
“He’s had a fantastic year, even though he’s spent most of the season in the Second XI,” he said.
“He came in on the weekend and took three wickets, it’s just another example of someone coming up a grade and having an impact.”
Spotswood will now host Endeavour Hills in a qualifying final this weekend after the eastern club finished sixth on the ladder.
“We played them earlier in the year and it was a tough contest,” Schuppan said.
“They’ve got some high quality cricketers and we won’t be underestimating them.”
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