VSDCA 2024-25: Why new Balwyn coach Jesse McInnes is backing improvement

A fresh voice will lead the Subbies outfit next season, bullish the First XI has the talent to improve. And the president says it was a “perfect opportunity” for a coaching handover. Here’s why.

VSDCA 2024-25: Balwyn coach Jesse McInnes with president Dom Greene. Picture: Balwyn CC

Incoming Balwyn coach Jesse McInnes is adamant the First XI’s improvement rests with its existing talent.

The recently appointed McInnes succeeds outgoing mentor Clinton Kennon, and brings a Premier Cricket background with Northcote and Footscray, alongside captain-coaching stints at Yarraville, Ivanhoe and Plenty Valley.

He said it was an “easy” decision to return to Sub-District level.

“What attracted me was the quality of people (at Balwyn) – in my initial meetings with them they definitely aligned with my values and coaching philosophy,” McInnes said.

“I think that made it a very easy decision to come on board … and I loved my time in Subbies, so it was an easy decision to return.”

The First XI finished the South-East season in seventh spot with an 8-7 record, missing the finals.

But McInnes was bullish about the list’s mix of youth and experience, confident the group can take the next step.

“We all want to be playing finals,” he said.

“I’m a big believer of building clubs from within … they’re (the First XI) entering into that window where they’re starting to peak.

“I think there’s enough talent at Balwyn to really allow some of those younger players to experience some First XI cricket.

Balwyn’s Adi Narayana made 384 runs and took 12 scalps last season. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Coming into any organisation, you want to get to know the players – I’ll be aiming to build really strong relationships with the playing group and allow their input into driving some of those KPIs for the club.

“I know the club finished high up in the Club Championship too … if we get those structures right internally, and all the individuals play some good cricket, it sounds a bit cliché but that will all take care of itself.”

McInnes paid tribute to Kennon who led the club for five years.

“He’s obviously a stalwart of Balwyn and done some great work in coaching the club,” he said.

Balwyn president Dom Greene echoed the sentiment.

“Clinton changed the way that our club plays cricket in terms of putting Balwyn back on the map, hard to play against, and really identified a style of cricket that we play,” he said.

Greene added it was a “perfect opportunity” to hand over to a “fresh voice”.

“We were really lucky to have (Kennon) to lay a really good foundation – his sacrifice of his playing to be able to coach and play in the seconds and prepare the younger guys for First XI cricket has been awesome for us,” he said.

“We’re really excited to hand over the reins to a fresh voice, and he’s (Kennon) going to continue to play in the lower grades, so we thought the time was good to get a new voice in.

“A club rarely gets handed over to someone in really good condition, and we feel like this was a perfect opportunity to hand over a really good, young and experienced group ready for a new challenge.”