Victorian men’s Premier Cricket preview: club ins, outs and prospects for 2021-22

Prahran, Melbourne, St Kilda and Ringwood are expected to set the standard in the 2021-22 season that starts on Saturday. Here’s our club-by-club guide.

A short lead-in is done.

Now for Round 1.

The Victorian men’s Premier Cricket season starts on Saturday and, as with 2020-21, the white ball will be flying in 50-over affairs.

Here’s a look at how the 18 clubs are shaping up.

CARLTON

Captain-coach: Evan Gulbis

Last season: quarterfinals

In: Connor Rutland (Essendon), Jack Beer (Ringwood)

Out: Brayden Stepien (Tasmania), Matthew Wilson (Dandenong), Donovan Pell (VTCA), Joey Boulton (Footscray)

Snapshot: The Blues won the flag only thee years ago and finished on top of the ladder last season. The talent is still there, although it’s been diminished slightly with the departure of dashing opener Brayden Stepien, who cracked 637 runs at 53 last season. Carlton’s batting is still stack with matchwinners, with Evan Gulbis, Nick Ross, Tom Smyth and Harrison Smyth. Gulbis and Ross both smashed three centuries last season. The addition of Essendon all-rounder Connor Rutland is exciting. There’s much to like about him: he can hit the ball hard – as he showed last season when he blitzed 86 off 76 balls, with 5 sixes, against Footscray – he bowls at a good pace and he’s dynamic in the field. Carlton’s bowling will be good again, with the likes of Eddy O’Sullivan, Gulbis and Cam Stevenson letting them go.

Bottom line: The Blues will be a title contender again.

Connor Rutland of Essendon appeals for a wicket. He’s joined Carlton. Picture: Julian Smith

CAMBERWELL MAGPIES

Coach: Ben Ryan

Captain: Ben Rowles

Last season: 14th

In: Ben Shields (New Zealand)

Out: Simon Hill (Brunswick), Tom Russ (St Kilda), Akshay Kodoth (Frankston Peninsula)

Snapshot: Injuries didn’t help the Magpies’ cause last season with several key names in and out of the First XI, but new coach Ben Ryan says they’re all fit and ready to go. None more so than new captain Ben Rowles, who missed most of the last campaign due to a knee reconstruction. He’s essentially a recruit and will significantly strengthen the batting.

The Maggies also boast five guns in the Cricket Victoria Under 19 emerging program, spearheaded by left-arm orthodox bowler Ollie Jenkins, who played every game in the First XI last season as a 17-year-old. He finished third for wickets taken in the firsts (13), and is joined by Tom Nelson (fast bowler), Will Townsend (all-rounder), Spencer Wood (opening batsman) and Dhruv Redhu (top-order bat/leg-spinner). Recruit Ben Shields lands at the club after seven seasons at Premier level in Wellington, New Zealand, predominantly playing for club cricket powerhouse Onslow. He’s a wicketkeeper/bat and a nice pick-up, having made the team of the year in his competition last season. Star veteran Andrew Fekete (15 wickets at 37.33 last season) will lead the bowling attack alongside vice-captain Will Walker (22 wickets at 20.23), while Hamish Burrill and Rishab Guddadamane must again have strong campaigns at the crease following the departures Simon Hill, Akshay Kodoth and Tom Russ – three of the ‘Pies top four run-scorers last season.

Bottom line: The Magpies are bursting with talented youth and are looking for overall improvement, a modest goal, but they’re coming from a way back after four wins last season.

CASEY SOUTH MELBOURNE

Coach: Will Carr

Captain: Michael Wallace

Last season: 15th

In: Luke Shelton (Mosman), Ruwantha Kellepotha (Berwick), Jordan Gilmour (Traralgon)

Out: Jordan Wyatt, Blair Clymo

Snapshot: Last season was still in progress when the Swannies came out and announced a package of recruits in left-arm spinner Luke Shelton from Sydney Grade cricket, Ruwantha Kellepotha from Berwick and returning pair Joel Mitchell and Luke Manders. It turns out Mitchell and Manders have not returned, with both staying in country cricket. But in Shelton and Kellepotha they’ve added two experienced cricketers who can contribute with bat and ball. Shelton took 33 wickets for Mosman last season and was for a few years a leading player in the NT. Kellepotha is a leg-spinner, hits the ball cleanly and will be comfortable in the one-day format. He played first-class cricket in Sri Lanka and will add striking power to a batting order that will be anchored by outstanding young opener Ashley Chandrasinghe, who in the off-season made a pile of runs in Darwin. Lachie Sperling is likely to partner him, and they’ll be followed by the likes of captain Michael Wallace, Traralgon recruit Jordan Gilmour, ace wicketkeeper Dev Pollock, young Harry Kannan and Chris Benedek, as well as Kellepotha, Shelton and Nathan Lambden. That’s a handy line-up to slot into the scorecard. The bowling? Lambden leads it, backed by Jackson Fry, Cal Dodson and the spinning brigade of Shelton, Kellepotha and Ashvin Adihetty (who will miss the early exchanges of the season with an ankle injury). Former Victorian quickie William “Will’’ Carr has replaced Brian Keogh as coach, stepping up from an assistant’s role. The Swans are in good hands.

Bottom line: can give the finals a shake.

The Swans will be counting on their classy wicketkeeper-batsman Devon Pollock this season.

DANDENONG

Coach: Warren Ayres

Captain: Brett Forsyth

Last season: grand final

In: Matt Wilson (Carlton), Sam Newell, Andrew Jones (Kingston Hawthorn), Brodie Eccles (Frankston Peninsula), Aryaman Bhardwaj (Northcote)

Out: James Nanopoulos, Peter Cassidy, Lincoln Edwards, Suraj Randiv, Ed Newman, Jacques Augustin, Jack Fowler, Comrey Edgeworth, Zac Grundmann-Perera, Dasun Opanyake, Adam McMaster

Snapshot: For a while there a week didn’t pass without the Panthers farewelling a player. In an exodus not seen at Premier level for some time, Dandenong lost the bulk of the team that stirringly rose to last season’s grand final, including club great James Nanopoulos, four other premierships players in wickie Jacques Augustin, Lincoln Edwards, Peter Cassidy and Ed Newman, and former Sri Lankan Test offie Suraj Randiv. Then came another blow two weeks ago when paceman Adam McMaster told the club he was heading interstate. So what’s left? Batting-wise, the Panthers still have their great opening batsmen Brett Forsyth, the new captain, and Tommy Donnell, who took his own sweet time in deciding to play on. He’s also serving as an assistant coach. They will be followed by the busy Cameron Forsyth – who has played a lot of Second XI cricket but is a First XI premiership batsman – the emerging Josh Slater, Aaron Fernando and Carlton recruit Matt Wilson, whom coach Warren Ayres believes can bat well enough to move into the all-rounder bracket. He got 70-odd on Saturday against Casey South Melbourne and looked the part. Kingston Hawthorn recruit Sam Newell might pop up too. The bowling stocks are thinner, with all five frontline bowlers used in last season’s grand final no longer around. Jake Thomas is nominally the spearhead, but only after he recovers from a back injury. Then there’s Wilson, young quick Braden Taeuber, pace-bowling recruits Andrew Jones and Aryaman Bhardwaj. and leg-spinner Gehan Seneviratne, who, with Randiv moving on, gets his chance.

Bottom line: After losing so much talent and experience, this season is about sifting through and sorting out the players who can make a good fist of First XI cricket. But the Panthers might pull some surprises.

ESSENDON

Coach: Ash Cavigan

Captain: James Seymour

Last season: 10th

In: –

Out: Aaron Ayre (Coburg), Matt Doric (Brunswick), Conor Rutland (Carlton), Donovan Toohey

Snapshot: A transition season looms at Windy Hill. The heart of the Bombers line-up has been ripped out with Aaron Ayre and Matt Doric hanging up the boots after decorated Premier Cricket careers. New skipper James Seymour is also expected to miss large parts of the season due to state duties. Seymour scored his maiden Sheffield Shield century in Round 2 and should form part of the Vics’ one-day team. The youngsters will be thrown the keys this season and allowed to develop together for the future, which will undoubtedly provide plenty of highlights but a few lowlights as well.

Bottom line: As many as three players could debut in the Round 1 trip to Geelong, a daunting task for even the most experienced teams. Despite the turnover, Essendon expects to remain in finals contention and can’t be underestimated. The likes of Michael Hill, Liam Bowe, Liam Molloy, Tom O’Donnell and Cam McClure (when available) form a strong core.

Lion leader Ejaaz Alavi.

FITZROY DONCASTER

Coach: Michael O’Sullivan

Captain: Ejaaz Alavi

Last season: semi-final (8th)

In: Shaun Morris (East Doncaster), Abhi Sharma (Carnegie), Zac Parr (Heatherdale), Sam Kimber (Box Hill), Liam Russell (Northcote), Liam Ingram, Kai Turner, Gurnaz Khatra (Preston)

Out: Sam Jones

Snapshot: Skipper Ejaaz Alavi has made no bones about the benchmark this season for his crew, eyeing a grand final and premiership. On the surface it’s a bold declaration, but the Lions enter the new season with virtually the same side that knocked out minor premier Carlton in the first final last season on the way to a semi-final berth. And it’s a squad that’s only improved, headlined by the inclusions of pacemen Shaun Morris and Sam Kimber, and former Carnegie captain Abhi Sharma, who’s keen to test himself at the top level after 466 runs at 42.4 last season. It’s set to be hot competition for spots in the bowling order, with the skipper taking a leading 24 wickets last season, alongside Sam Elliott and Nicholas Fletcher (22 apiece). And medium-pacer Kimber had a breakout season last time around, hauling in 28 wickets at 14.29 to lift Box Hill into the finals. Morris finished the Eastern CA campaign with 31 wickets at an average of 9.65 and a best of 5-31. There’s more – returning Lion Zac Parr comes off a standout season which included a grand final, taking 25 wickets on the way to Heatherdale’s club champion award. There’s also excitement around batsman Liam Russell and Preston crew Liam Ingram (batting all-rounder) Kai Turner (leg-spinner) and Gurnaz Khatra (all-rounder), all of which should create pressure for spots in the First XI.

Bottom line: With last season’s semi-final outfit sticking together, and boosted by a wealth of names and depth, the Lions have every right to be eyeing the prize.

FOOTSCRAY

Coach: Allan Wise

Captain: Travis Dean

Last season: 11th

In: Jake Reed (injury), Malith Cooray (Westmeadows)

Out: Hamish Winter-Irving (Werribee), Jordan Buckingham (South Australia), Jordan Kight (Aberfeldie), Jackson Coleman

Snapshot: The Dogs admit they underperformed last season after a top-two finish in 2019-20 and are looking for an immediate bounce-back. The pace battery took a hit over the off-season with Jordan Buckingham winning a rookie contract with South Australia and Hamish Winter-Irving stepping back to Sub-District but Jake Reed returns and Malith Cooray has proved himself a good all-rounder in the VTCA. Reed is a damn good player and deserves some luck on the injury front. a Footscray’s strength is with the bat and with Travis Dean currently out of Victoria’s XI, the top five of Dean, Dylan Brasher, Dean Russ, Daniel Sartori and Dylan Kight is one of the best in Premier Cricket, even if it wasn’t apparent in 2020-21.

Bottom line: If the batting fires the Bulldogs can test anyone. Footscray proved in 2019-20 it is a premiership contender before struggling in the last season’s one-day format.

James Nanopoulos will skipper Frankston Peninsula this season.

FRANKSTON PENINSULA

Coach: Paul Boraston

Captain: James Nanopoulos

Last season: 17th

In: James Nanopoulos (Dandenong), Jacques Augustin (Dandenong), Akshay Kodoth (Camberwell Magpies), Patrick Nagel (Rosebud), Matt Kennedy (Delacombe Park), Nick Taranto (Tyabb), Kiefer Peries (Clyde), Jarryd Parker (Somerville), Harry Wallace (Old Peninsula), Tej Gandhi (Parkdale), Saumil Patel (Carnegie), Brendan Morris (Mordialloc), Daniel Mylius (Darwin), Corey Marshall (Dandenong)

Out: Harrison Barnes (Melbourne University), Aidan Wheeler (Prahran), Mackenzie Gardner (Seaford Tigers), Brodie Eccles (Dandenong), Mitch Drummond, Tim Drummond

Snapshot: With an injection of experience and talent, the Heat should climb the ladder this season. Dandenong champion James Nanopoulos will captain the side and give the bowling more potency. Wicketkeeper Jacques Augustin and former first-class batter Akshay Kodoth will also make Frankston Peninsula stronger. Making more runs is a big focus for the Heat, who struggled to post 200 in most matches last season. Ryan Hammel, Brodie Symons and Jai Elcock are fine young players ready to take their games to another level. A raft of players from local competitions have joined the club and there’s every chance one or more of them will emerge to be key members of the First XI.

Bottom line: After a finals drought of almost a decade, the Heat will rise this summer. Second-year coach Paul Boraston has put together a squad capable of mixing it with allcomers.

Geelong’s young fast bowler Joshua Garner. Picture: Steve Tanner

GEELONG

Captain: Josh McDonald

Coach: Nick Speak

Last season: semi-finals

In: Lachlan Field (returning)

Out: Eamonn Vines (Tasmania), Jared Bailey (GCA), Luke Guest (GCA), Tyler Larkin (Cricket Shepparton)

Snapshot: The Cats have played off in three of the past four finals series but you sense 2021-22 will be a stern test for them after the departure of their captain and champion batter Eamonn Vines. The left-hander has led Geelong’s run making charts for the past years and last season scored 847 runs at 56.47. He’s headed to Tasmania to play for South Hobart/Sandy Bay (and peeled off a century on the weekend). Wicketkeeper-batter Josh McDonald takes over as captain and is determined to lead the Cats to their first flag. McDonald has had 137 appearances in Geelong’s top grade since joining the club in 2012-13 and is confident the Cats can contend again. “We’ve still definitely got it, absolutely,” he said. “We’ve got great young guns in Tommy Jackson, Brody Couch and Tom O’Connell and then you throw in Josh Garner as well — his last year was phenomenal. We definitely do have the cattle.’’ Geelong has also lost middle-order batter Tyler Larkin, who has returned home to coach Central-Park/St Brendans in Shepparton. But Geelong has clawed one back, with all-rounder Lachie Field returning after staying home last summer to play for Grampians Cricket Club and work on his family farm.

Bottom line: The Cats’ bats will need to step up to cover the huge void left by Vines. But in all-rounder Hayden Butterworth, batter Tom Jackson, exciting young fast bowler Josh Garner and new skipper Josh McDonald, they still have the talent to push for finals.

GREENVALE KANGAROOS

Coach: Damian Shanahan

Captain: Matthew Harrison

Last season: 16th

In: Jack Potticary (UK), Harvinder Singh (Kingston Hawthorn)

Out: Michael Stretton (Preston), Trent Waring (Taylors Lakes)

Snapshot: Greenvale enters its second season under Damian Shanahan and remains a work in progress. The Kangaroos picked up two wins in the one-day only season but showed some positive signs. Matthew Harrison led the club in runs in his first season and will step up to captain the First XI this season while Josh Trembearth scored his maiden Premier Cricket century – the Kangaroos only ton of the campaign. Meanwhile, Darcy Bell (21 wickets in 11 matches) was unearthed to partner spearhead Sean McNicholl, and Jacob Pawlowicz proved himself a danger spinner with 19 scalps. Continued development will be the theme of the 2021-22 season but a couple more wins must be claimed to keep the momentum rolling and prove the club is on the right track.

Bottom line: Former captain Michael Stretton is a loss with his batting and leadership critical over the past two seasons but Jack Potticary’s return will help ease the run-scoring burden on Harrison. Harry Singh is an excellent recruit, adding another proven wicket-taker to the pace battery of Bell and McNicholl. The bones are there for Greenvale to have some success; with a bit of hard work and luck they should improve.

KINGSTON HAWTHORN

Coach: Peter Marshall

Captain: Shorye Chopra

Last season: 18th

In:

Out: Harry Singh, Sam Newell, Andrew Jones

Snapshot: With only two wins the Hawks finished on the bottom again last season. But there was improvement through the grades – between the four teams they had 18 wins – and coach Peter Marshall is looking to build on that. “We’re going to lift our standards,’’ he was saying at the first official pre-season training session. “We need to be more competitive. I understand Cricket Victoria want Kingston Hawthorn to be more competitive. We want to be more competitive. We believe we’re on the right track. We’ll have a crack.’’ The First XI lost a good player in fast bowler Harry Singh, who transferred to Greenvale Kangaroos, and the handy Sam Newell, who blitzed 99 in the final round, switched to Dandenong. No established or experienced players have come in, so improvement will have to come from within. Captain Shorye Chopra and Ramneet Dhindsa are better players than their figures last season suggest, the experienced Romain Grenville owes his coach a few runs, and Matt Vorbach and Abi Jain, both recruited from local ranks, will benefit from their first go at the level. The bowling attack will be steady and need to be supported by sharp fielding.

Bottom line: the Hawks won’t make the top eight, but hopefully they’ll push a few of the top teams and scrap out four or five wins.

New Melbourne skipper Blake Thomson.

MELBOURNE

Coach: Ben Vague

Captain: Blake Thomson

Last season: quarter-finals

In: Nil

Out: Cameron White (retired), Seb Gotch (retired)

Snapshot: A new captain for the Demons in their class batsman Blake Thomson, who filled in for Cameron White when he was away last season and now takes over from the retired great of Victorian cricket. Thomson was outstanding with 636 runs at 63.6 – not bad for a player said to be more suited to the red-ball format. He leads a squad stacked with ability, including some of Victoria’s most likely prospects in Fergus O’Neill (given a state rookie contract over winter), Campbell Kellaway, Marcus Jackman, Darcy Munro, Alexander Buxton, Henry Brown and Kobe Herft, who started last season in the Third XI and rose to the firsts. There’s some serious talent in that group. Put it with the senior bunch of Jack Prestwidge, Wilson McIllivray, Meyrick Buchanan, Jackson Koop, Kieran Elliott, Kyle Williamson, Jack Harper, Charles Lill and, when they’re available, first-class pair Will Pucovski and Sam Harper, and you don’t need any great powers of foresight to easy to see Melbourne finishing in the top four again. The challenge then will be to perform far better than the Demons did in last season’s quarter-final against Dandy, when they folded like a card table.

Bottom line: should push for the premiership.

Fergus McKenna of Melbourne University. Picture: Hamish Blair

MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY

Captain: Fergus McKenna

Coach: Dan Hutton

Last season: quarter-finals

In: Harrison Barnes (Frankston Peninsula), Alex Gregory (returning), Will Rogers (NSW), Josh Hahnel (Yarraville)

Out: James McNeil, Liam Scammell, Jarrod Martignago, Steven Reid, Akon Mawien (SA)

Snapshot: The Students go into the season with a new coach, a new captain and new players. Dan Hutton takes over as head coach, while up-and-coming batter Fergus McKenna will skipper the side. First-class paceman Simon Mackin had been appointed coach but has had to relinquish the role after starting a job at Cricket Victoria. He will, though, stay on as a player and spearhead the bowling attack. Former captain James McNeil has relocated to Queensland for work and family reasons, and is one of four senior men to have moved on since the end of last season. Champion paceman Steve Reid, opener Jarrod Martignago and all-rounder Liam Scammell have also retired from Premier Cricket. But there are some fine additions, including brilliant all-rounder Alex Gregory, who missed last season because of work commitments. He’s rated in the top five players in the competition. The recruits include heavy-scoring Yarraville Sub-District batsman Josh Hahnel; Harrison Barnes, a batsman and part-time spinner from Frankston Peninsula; and former NSW Under 19 fast bowler Will Rogers.

Bottom line: Don’t write off the Students. Yes, they’ve lost four good players. But there is still a ton of talent there and the return of gun all-rounder Alex Gregory is significant. Andrej Yaksender, McKenna and bowler Mark Stafford are other key men.

NORTHCOTE

Coach: Warren Pereara

Captain: Blayde Baker

Last season: 9th

In: Corey Dineen (Ringwood), Alex Porter (Bacchus Marsh)

Out: Steve Taylor (retired)

Snapshot: The Dragons were sitting pretty in second when the first Covid lockdown of 2021 hit in February. What followed was a dramatic fall from grace as the club tumbled down the ladder and missed finals by two points. Northcote has lost talisman Steve Taylor to retirement but otherwise remains a solid line-up, led by opening batsman Mark Phelan and spearhead Michael Topp. Corey Dineen and Alex Porter will add batting depth at Bill Lawry Oval, Dineen scored 325 runs in 14 Second XI matches for Ringwood – including a 75 against Northcote – while Porter ranked third in the Gisborne District with 526 runs. The Dragons will also look to unleash talented youngsters Jaga Koduru, Billy Cootee and Daniel Lalor on a more regular basis.

Bottom line: Northcote will be determined to correct last year’s horror fadeout and return to Premier Cricket finals. They Dragons proved themselves a winning combination over the majority of the past two seasons and still have plenty of room to grow with some of the best young talent in Victorian cricket. Finals or bust.

PRAHRAN

Coach: Julien Wiener

Captain: Jake Hancock

Last season: premier

In: Bailey Moon (Richmond), Sam Beer (Ringwood), Aidan Wheeler (Frankston Peninsula), Josh Agar (Caulfield), Sam Grimwade (returning), Felix Squire (Caulfield Grammar)

Out: Andrew Perrin, Steve Seymour, Adam Bull

Snapshot: What stirring scenes unfolded at the Junction Oval in April when the True Blues won their first premiership in almost 40 years. Tears? Club stalwarts like Ian Crawford and James Higgs dropped a few of them as the club rose to the flag under the coaching of one of its most famous players in Julien Wiener. Everything points to Prahran being a standard-setter again. From the premiership team, only quickie Andrew Perrin has said his farewells, joining Berwick. Bailey Moon takes his place in an attack that has the pace of Matt Wilcox and Nick Boland, James Sutherland when he’s around, and left-arm spinners James Boyce and Blake Parsons. Nick Blaich, James Billington, Damon Egan, captain Jake Hancock and the fast-rising Lachie Bangs make up a classy batting division. Left-hander Blaich played some spectacular hands last season on his way to 582 runs, and in the grand final he was happy to hit James Nanopoulos over the top. Egan hit 779 runs after crossing from St Kilda, Hancock accumulated 519 and Bangs banged out 424 with two thrilling centuries; bowlers were often left feeling blue after encountering the True Blues. With the well-connected Michael Cove coming on an assistant coach, Prahran has brought in a bunch of promising players from region and APS teams. The club looks in good shape for 2021-22 and beyond.

Bottom line: premiership material.

Prahran top-liner Damon Egan.

RICHMOND

Coach: Shannon Young

Captain: Dominic Matarazzo

Last season: 13th

In: Brendan Rose (Berwick, DDCA)

Out: Bailey Moon (Prahran), Marcus Berryman (not expected to be playing), Adam Amin (Ringwood)

Snapshot: There are a few notable outs for the Tigers. Experienced all-rounder Marcus Berryman isn’t expected to play the season due to work commitments, following a leading 23 wickets at an average of 20.74 in 2020-21 and 132 runs. Promising young fast-bowler and lower-order batsman Bailey Moon joins the reigning premier after a mix of First and Second XI matches last season, and prolific batsman Adam Amin has linked with Ringwood, following 192 runs from 11 appearances last campaign. But there’s an air of excitement surrounding young guns Shobit Singh and Yash Pednekar after the Second XI top-order bats made an impression in the firsts last season. Pednekar registered two centuries in the Second XI with a best of 118 not out against Ringwood, and a best of 63 against St Kilda in the firsts. Singh knocked 159 runs in the top flight and impressed one or two shred judges. Off-spinner Reiley Mark will step up to regular First XI cricket after eight matches where he took eight wickets and a best of 3-21. And a fully-fit Dylan Tibballs (five wickets from three matches, a best of 3-39 and an average of 11.40) will be one to watch. Also keep an eye out for emerging batsman Jonathan D’Rozario, whose limited time in the firsts was highlighted by a knock of 53 against Carlton, and Tim Goodman, whose knock of 114 in the seconds in Round 2 earned him middle-order selection in the firsts, where he more than held his own. The exciting part for the Tigers is they’re all under 25. Then there’s the injection of former Casey-South Melbourne quick Brendan Rose to the First XI after a couple of seasons with Berwick in the DDCA. The right-armer’s no stranger to the Tigers, having played Super Slam with the club. His experience in the firsts will be invaluable, and he’ll also serve as a bowling coach which the young crop is sure to thrive under.

Bottom line: Finals is the internal expectation for the First XI at Richmond, after all three lower grades made it last season. They expect to be challenging for the bottom half of the eight.

RINGWOOD

Coach: Sean Flynn

Captain: David King

Last season: 12th

In: Adam Amin (Richmond), James Bowen, Matt Fotia (Glenorchy), Joe Loorham (returning)

Out: Sam Beer (Prahran), Corey Dineen (Northcote)

Snapshot: The coach is optimistic his haul of recruits can help lift the First XI back into the finals – and it’s a line-up that’s only improved in the off-season. Amin boosts the batting order and brings more than 1500 career runs after time at the Tigers and Greenvale, and is expected to slot into the middle-order. Combine Amin with the likes of Tom Rogers at the top, Josh Hartill, David King and Ian Holland and it becomes a dangerous order. Rogers comes off a blistering season where he hauled in 632 runs at 52.67, including a high of 181 not-out against Northcote, alongside Holland (310), returning skipper King (288) and Hartill (240). Triple premiership player and wicketkeeper/bat, Joe Loorham, who missed last season, will also provide a major lift for the Rams, and he’s essentially a recruit. Hartill made the keeper role his own in Loorham’s absence, but the experienced name brings not only versatility in this space, but plenty to the crease with 3772 career runs. And the coach also has high hopes for emerging batsmen Ethan Walker, Trent Wynne and Zac Grech, who have impressed this pre-season. Then there’s the injection of power in the bowling attack, with the return of quick Matt Fotia following a season at Glenorchy in Tasmania, and teammate, left-arm swing bowler, James Bowen. Bowen brings the experience of 200 first-grade wickets and three flags won in Tasmania’s premier comp. The pair join the likes of Holland (26 wickets last season at 16.31), King (18 at 29.22) and Brendan Walsh (12 at 39.42).

Bottom line: The Rams will improve – perhaps sharply – with added batting and bowling power.

Returning Ram Matt Fotia.

ST KILDA

Coach: Glenn Lalor

Captain: Adam Crosthwaite

Last season: quarter-finals

In: Edward Newman (Dandenong), Tom Russ (Camberwell Magpies), Jayden Banks (Caulfield VSDCA)

Out: Nil

Snapshot: Already strong, the Saints bolstered their list in the off-season, bringing in Dandenong premiership batsman Edward Newman and former Camberwell Magpies captain and club champion Tom Russ. Left-hander Newman arrives as a player intent on turning his potential into consistent performance and Russ adds to the batting and bowling groups. The bowling is Superman-strong with the speed of Henry Thornton and Matt Hennig, the swing of Will Lovell, the left arm of Josh Bartlett and the spin of state squad prospect Todd Murphy. It won’t be easy score to runs against St Kilda this season. As for the batting, the Saints have four of the Vics’ top six – Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Nic Maddinson and Jon Merlo – but captain Adam Crosthwaite’s attitude is that it’s a bonus whenever they play for the club. From round to round the captain will see the likes of Patrick Rowe, Josh Manning, Michael De Iacovo, Newman and Russ, with an emerging bunch – Max Stevenson, Tom Deighton, Jack Cunnington and Harry Dixon – bubbling under. St Kilda was the fourth-qualified team for last season’s finals, only to fall to Geelong in a gripping finish. “It stings when you lose a final by one wicket,’’ Crosthwaite said. “It’s not something we’ve forgotten about. But we’ll start again and keep chasing the dream.’’

Bottom line: top four, for sure.