VSDCA: All the latest signings ahead of season 2023-24
Former state stars, Premier Cricket talents and international coaches are among the latest coaching and player signings across the Subbies competition. See all the done deals.
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Silly season is in full swing across the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.
Clubs across the competition have been welcoming fresh faces — coaches and players — throughout the off-season.
Here are the latest moves.
EAST
BAYSWATER
Thomas and Julian Packer
The ex-Premier quicks have joined the Waters, with the pair previously plying their trade at Casey-South Melbourne. Thomas, touted for his raw pace and ability as a right-hand batsman, played across the grades at the Swans and Carlton collecting 61 wickets and a best of 5-10. Left-arm seam bowler Julian took 55 wickets playing predominantly in the Swans’ Second XI, and brings high hopes as a lower-order batsman. The duo links up with close friend Sachin Halangode at the club.
Aaron Stephen
Excitement surrounds the inclusion of the young gun, with the right-arm quick impressing after opening the bowling in the Second XI’s final match of last season. A multiple RDCA junior representative, Stephen crosses from St Andrew’s and recently opened the bowling in the RDCA’s under-18 Phil Arnold Shield side.
BOX HILL
Cian Dickinson
Was initially thought to be headed home, but the UK import has returned after peeling off 481 runs to go with 26 wickets at an average of 17.31 in a standout 2022-23 campaign. It’s a major boost to the Mustangs’ hopes of improving on last season’s return of fifth spot with an 8-1-6 record before a qualifying-final loss to powerhouse Werribee. They’ll be led by new coach Chris Box.
CROYDON
Jack Conroy
The ex-Frankston Peninsula spinner will lead the Cockies this season, taking over from outgoing coach Tom McQuinn and long-serving skipper Steve Wright. Conroy spent five years at Premier level, carving out 40 top-flight matches before returning to junior club Lysterfield in 2022-23 in the FTDCA, helping the suburban power to a preliminary final.
NORTH
St Bernard‘s
Jevon Kett
The Premier Cricket talent joins St Bernard’s full-time after being part of the Snowdogs’ T20 team last season. The batter joins from Fitzroy Doncaster where he made one First XI appearance last season, against Carlton in November, and made 147 runs at 16.33 in 12 Second XI matches after 398 runs at 28.43 in 17 appearances in 2021-22. Also has experience at Greenvale Kangaroos and Plenty Valley.
Coburg
Will Dundon
The paceman comes across from Premier Cricket outfit Greenvale Kangaroos where he snared 11 wickets in eight First XI matches last season, with a best of 4-28 against Camberwell Magpies.
Jacob Carruthers
The Lions further boosted their pace stocks with the former Richmond Premier Cricket bowler. In 10 Third XI matches last season, Carruthers snared 10 wickets at 32.50 with a best of 3-10. He has previously played lower grades at Greenvale Kangaroos and Carlton as well as at Subbies rival Plenty Valley.
Zac Margariti
Another arrival from Greenvale, Margariti played six Premier Cricket Third XI matches this season, scoring 268 runs at 44.67, and the Lions hope he can add some much-needed secondary scoring behind leaders Shellie and Aaron Ayre.
Charlie Bolmat
Meanwhile, Bolmat crosses from VTCA club Aberfeldie but has previously been on Essendon‘s Premier Cricket books. The young gun returns to senior cricket after having last season off to concentrate on football. The young all-rounder made the Vic Country under-17 in 2021-22 and also represented a Cricket Victoria XI before going on to Premier Cricket with Essendon.
Strathmore
Justin Bramble
The 2017-18 VTCA Senior Division premiership player returns to the Mores as senior coach in 2023-24. The West Indian played one Second XI game for Caroline Springs in the VTCA and two Club XI matches for Footscray last season while coaching at Merv Hughes Oval. Bramble starred in his one season with Strathmore, scoring 451 runs at 28.19, taking 20 catches with the gloves and snaring a pair of stumpings.
Ivanhoe
Arjun Dhull
A stunning recruiting coup for Ivanhoe, landing the Premier Cricket talent from Ringwood. Dhull played 10 First XI matches for the Rams last season, 15 the year before and has almost 100 First XI appearances after seven season with Prahran. The star bat was also the Super Slam and batting coach for Ringwood.
Henry Tyler
The current Philippines national coach and player takes the coaching reins from Scott McNaughton at Ivanhoe Park. Tyler will continue the club’s focus on youth while also being a more than handy addition to the club’s playing ranks.
SOUTH
CAULFIELD
Michael Levitt
The reigning premiers have picked up Netherlands squad member Michael Levitt, a top order batter who’s handy with the ball. He will help cover the loss of leading batter David Tantsis-Hall, to Mordialloc.
BRIGHTON
Jason Soames
The Englishman is an all-rounder from Guildford in the Surrey Championship league and will bolster the Tonners’ depth.
Will Sist
Sist joins the Tonners from Kew, where he made a Team of the Year appearance last season. He sures up the bowling while coach John Damiano also values what he will bring to the Brighton culture.
The Tonners’ will be without Robbie Salerni, who has wicket kept for the past two seasons, through retirement.
OAKLEIGH
Nathan Harford
The former Frankston Peninsula opening batter had 11 seasons at the Heat and also blasted centuries for Carrum Downs in the Mornington Peninsula competition. He joins the Oaks as senior assistant coach.
James Pattinson
The ex-Aussie Test quick signed with the Oaks during the 2022-23 campaign. After retiring from professional cricket he has played Premier Cricket with Dandenong and local footy with Doveton. Although he did his best work at the elite level with the ball, many believe it’s his batting that will be a force this summer.
MALVERN
Brendan Adams
The man affectionately known as “Tangles’’ has joined the Roosters as head coach, bringing a wealth of Premier cricket experience having played for 12 seasons with Richmond including 20 First XI games. He comes to the Roosters highly recommended as a quality cricket person.
Andrew Fekete
The former Victorian quick joins the Roosters after an excellent career with Victoria and Camberwell Magpies at Premier level.
PORT MELBOURNE
Chris Ryan
The opening batter joins the Borough from Endeavour Hills where he showed the ability to bat long periods and accumulate runs, with a great technique and shot making ability.
WEST
SPOTSWOOD
Harry Lumsden
The reigning premier has signed the Englishman for the upcoming season having got a glimpse of his ability last campaign. Lumsden trained with the club last year.
Lachlan McKenna
A former Premier Cricket star with Carlton, McKenna will add another exciting player to the Spotswood batting line-up. He played over 300 games at the state’s top level.
ALTONA
Ben Davies
Davies makes the move to the Subbies competition after a decade with St Kilda. He scored over 4700 runs in Premier Cricket. Davies will also be the club’s assistant coach.
MELTON
Rhys Berry
A veteran opener bowler who arrives from Diggers Rest where he was a head coach for four seasons and captain for seven. Berry took over 300 wickets during his time in the GDCA.
Brenton Cook
Cook arrives at the Lions in a move which will strengthen the club’s top order. He previously played with VTCA outfit St Albans scoring over 1800 runs in five seasons.
Max Dicker
A young gun from the UK, Dicker arrives with experience as part of Somerset’s junior rep programs.
Stephen Shields
Arrives from fellow Subbies club St Bernard’s. Shields played 36 First XI games for the northern club, taking almost 50 wickets.
Josh Taylor
A former Premier Cricket all-rounder with Greenvale, Taylor arrives after a stint in Queensland with South Brisbane.
YARRAVILLE
Ashish Mathew
The talented all-rounder will add depth to Yarraville’s batting and bowling ranks. He has spent the last two seasons with Kingston Hawthorn, playing in the First and Second XIs.
TAYLORS LAKES
Melisha Deshapriya
The leg spinner has played for Grand United in the VTCA the last two seasons. He was a member of the club’s premiership last season.
Steffan Roberts
A member of the Welsh national team on 14 occasions, Roberts will slot in at the top of the order.
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