Victorian Premier Cricket: Frankston Peninsula chases state player

Frankston Peninsula has confirmed it is in talks with a contracted state player as it ramps up recruiting for the 2025-26 Victorian Premier Cricket season.

Frankston Peninsula celebrate a wicket last season. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The Heat are on the hunt.

Frankston Peninsula is in talks with a contracted state player, with an offer to coach the club down the track believed to be on the table.

“We are really keen to add to our list,” Heat coach Peter Marshall said.

“We’re talking to a contracted player who might wish to pursue a coaching career before his first-class career ends.

“And I would mentor him into that position.

“But he’s currently a contracted player so I can’t say who it is.’’

Frankston Peninsula has chased a big signing for years without luck. Its most successful state recruits in the past were Matthew Mott and Nick Jewell, who both helped the club to grand finals.

Frankston Peninsula won its last three games of the 2024-25 season, storming home to beat Melbourne University, Kingston Hawthorn and Essendon.

Marshall says the club has an abundance of young talent and is set up for success in the years ahead.

“I think our greatest improvement will come from within the group because we’re so young,” he said.

Jai Elcock captained the Heat in 2024-25. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Frankston Peninsula racked up some big scores last season — passing 300 on five occasions — as first-season captain Jai Elcock, Ryan Hammel and Nick Taranto took their games to a new level.

The Heat’s bowling brigade did well at times, although it’s an area the club is keen to boost.

“Everyone’s after a quick,’’ Marshall said.

“And we’re probably looking just for a middle order bat who can bowl a little bit.

“Yeah, it’s a good place to play cricket. We’re a happy club. We’re organised.’’

Elcock is heading off to play cricket in the Yorkshire Premier League during our winter.

Hammel will play up in Darwin — as will Mornington premiership captain Cameron Moon, who is considering having a crack at Premier Cricket at Frankston Peninsula next season.

Young wicketkeeper Sean van Wijk was a revelation for the Heat last season, with 25 dismissals, including five catches in Frankston’s last-round win over Essendon.

Aidan Lenehan topped Frankston’s wickets, 16, despite battling niggling injuries for part of the season.

The next wave of Frankston Peninsula young players will train with the club’s Boland Academy over winter, starting Monday. The Heat had 110 expressions of interest to join the 40-member academy.