VSDCA: Ins, outs and snapshots ahead of the 2024-25 South-West season

Hoppers Crossing and Oakleigh have recruited well, while Ormond, Taylors Lakes and Port Melbourne have new-look sides ahead of the Subbies south-west season. Here is everything you need to know about each club.

Players will have to wait a week but the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association season is only days away.

Big ins and outs are the theme across the South-West section of Subbies ahead of 2024-25, and we have covered them all.

Here are the key ins, outs and snapshots of what to expect from each and every club this season ...

ALTONA

Last year: 6th (10-5)

Leading run-scorer: Ben Davies (599 at 39.93)

Leading wicket-taker: Adam Yates (32 at 17.13)

In: Adam Williamson (Yarraville), Luke Medlock (UK), Rory Medlock (UK)

Out: Matt Grubb

Snapshot: Ben Davies was a key performer in his side’s rise to the finals series last season and if he can produce the same sort of form there’s no reason Altona can’t rise to the same level again. James Grubb will again skipper. Talented English batter Luke Medlock is returning after playing with the club two years ago and his brother Rory is joining him.

BRIGHTON

Last year: Preliminary final (12-5)

Leading run-scorer: Ricky Damiano (681 at 48)

Leading wicket-taker: Glen Parker (40 at 12)

In: Harry Armstrong (Scotland), Nick Hutley (returning), Jack Rutter (returning)

Out: Ricky Damiano (Langwarrin), Brenton Murphy (retired), Darcy Kennelly (SKOBS), Jason Soames (hasn’t returned from overseas), Shivam Patel, Cooper Hollway (injury)

Snapshot: Brighton has had a changing of the guard. The Tonners, under new captain-coach Peter Cassidy, will have a much younger group in 2024-25 but their expectations will remain the same. Brighton’s bowling will be formidable while there’s room for an emerging batter to stand up. There’s still a bit to play out for Cassidy’s men, with some irons in the fire to bolster the list before Christmas.

Glen Parker. Picture: Valeriu Campan

CAULFIELD

Last year: Finals (10-6)

Leading run-scorer: Jacob Thorne (565 at 43.36)

Leading wicket-taker: Jacob Thorne (34 at 14.38)

Captain: James Small

In: James Crosthwaite (North Sydney), Vinnie Page (St Kilda)

Out: nil

Snapshot: A very handy late pick up for the Fielders, with former Vic seconds and NSW squad member James Crosthwaite bolstering the line-up. He’s set to make a significant impact in the competition. Caulfield made the semi-finals last season, losing to eventual premiers Noble Park, despite a gallant century by Fielders champion Jacob Thorne. The arrival of Crosthwaite and Vinnie Page strengthens the batting which should help the balance of the team, supporting Thorne, Josh Rymell, coach Lachie Graf and Jeremy Corby. All four Caulfield teams made finals last year for the first time in 12 years, highlighting the club’s depth.

James Crosthwaite has joined Caulfield.

ELSTERNWICK

Last year: Elimination final (11-5)

Leading run-scorer: Finn Usher (532 at 38)

Leading wicket-taker: Ollie Burts (34 at 15)

In: nil

Out: Ollie Burts, Kalhan Sineth

Snapshot: There’s been a bit of change at the Eels. Tom Collins will coach while Zac Grundmann-Perera will captain. There are no ins as yet for Elsternwick but the Eels are treating late additions Tom Cooper and Jack Phillips as ins for this season after the pair propelled int the first XI late last summer.

Elsternwick batter Finn Usher. Picture: Valeriu Campan

HOPPERS CROSSING

Last year: 4th (9-6)

Leading run-scorer: Simon Lambert (691 at 46.07)

Leading wicket-taker: Fawad Ahmed (56 at 8.77)

In: Haseeb Quereshi (Greenvale), Wajhe Ali (Sunshine United), Daryl Ferrario (India), Shadi Sideek (Port Melbourne)

Out: Fawad Ahmed, Sanka Abeyrewan, Fazel Nawab, Henro Dias

Snapshot: The Cats’ bowling stocks took a huge hit when Fawad Ahmed departed for Deer Park in the VTCA meaning they’ll have to find 56 wickets from somewhere. Abeyrewan was the second leading run scorer. Quereshi will add some serious fire power into the batting line-up after crossing from Premier Cricket.

MALVERN

Last year: 8th (8-7)

Leading run-scorer: Will Beattie (494 at 35)

Leading wicket-taker: Andrew Fekete (28 at 17)

In: Max Tryfonos (UK), Sam Hunt (UK), Nick Taylor (UK), Alex Moen

Out: Andrew Fekete (retired), Josh Rai (not returning from overseas)

Snapshot: The four additions to the Roosters’ line-up bolster an already strong batting card. Tryfonos, who is pushing for County selection back home, also bowls some tidy off-spin. Tom Rickarby will again captain the Rooster, who should be one of the big improvers in 2024-25.

Will Beattie on the drive. Picture: George Sal

MELTON

Last year: 15th (3-12)

Leading run-scorer: Ben MacRae (405 runs at 28.93)

Leading wicket-taker: Rhys Berry (32 at 15.66)

In: Will Chesterman, Jason Hibbert, Jack Dickson, Jhett Ramsey, Harsh Parma

Out: Alex Kerr, Conrad Farrugia, Rhys Berry

Snapshot: The Lions enjoyed an up and down season last year and their bowling stocks have taken a serious hit with the departure of Berry. They’ll want to see better consistency from the batting group this season.

MOORABBIN

Last year: 14th (3-12)

Leading run-scorer: Luke Ashen (328 runs at 25.23)

Leading wicket-taker: Roshan Livera (25 at 17.12)

In: Navdeep Singh (Ormond), Safras Mohamed

Snapshot: The Saints will be young, but they are not short on enthusiasm and they will have a competitive line-up with batting dynamo Luke Ashen and wicket-taking skipper Damsara Menuwara showing the way. Opening bowler Navdeep Singh has come across from Ormond in a further boost.

Sam Jones will captain Oakleigh this summer. Picture: David Smith

OAKLEIGH

Last year: 12th (6-8)

Leading run-scorer: Ryan Pearson (362 at 24)

Leading wicket-taker: Josh Peake (29 at 18)

In: Brendan Grace (Fitzroy Doncaster), Ned Bailey (Stockport Georgian, UK), Bhanuka Samarakkody (Endeavour Hills), Madurawalage Jayasundera (Endeavour Hills), Alex Jones (returning from injury)

Out: Ryan Pearson (time off), Ben Fletcher (not returning), Miles Fabris, James Ritchie

Snapshot: Oakleigh’s successive finishes outside the top six have not been taken lightly. The Oaks have put an emphasis on returning to the finals this year and the strong list formation is proof of that. They lose star player Ryan Pearson but gain a selection of others. Samarakkody left an impression after striking 43 off 17 balls against the Oaks last year — he will bat at the top and take the gloves. Sam Jones will be the club’s captain in 2024-25.

ORMOND

Last year: Runners-up (12-6)

Leading run-scorer: Zac Sleeman (630 at 37.06)

Leading wicket-taker: Tom Buchanan (39 at 16.33)

In: Amaan Broughton (Edgworth, UK), Clement Tommy (Vanuatu), Jamie Price (UK)

Out: Tom Cameron (Gippsland), Rory Freeman (Doutta Stars), Tom Buchanan

Snapshot: The Monders powered into the grand final last season. But a few months later they were parting ways with the men who steered them there, captain Tom Cameron, who has moved to Gippsland, and coach Sam Kindlen, who has retired. Also, star opening batsman Rory Freeman, who made 123 in the semi-final last season, has gone to Doutta Stars in the North West Metropolitan association, and leading bowlers Tom Buchanan and Nigel Hunt aren’t playing. Their absence will be felt, although an influx of English players will boost ranks. There is still plenty of talent and depth at Ormond. Premiership batsman James Bartholomeusz has taken over as coach.

James Bartholomeusz will coach Ormond. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

PORT MELBOURNE

Last year: 10th (7-8)
Leading run-scorer: Luke Domashenz (302 at 23.23)

Leading wicket-taker: Lewis O’Donnell (39 at 14.44)

In: Sean Pickles (UK), Joe Burrows (UK), Dylan Driscoll (Sussex, UK), Ruairidh Main (Scotland)

Out: Lewis O’Donnell (Scotland)

Snapshot: Port Melbourne is setting its sights on a top six spot in its fourth year back in Subbies. It’s had an influx of overseas players, most notably Isle of Man international Jo Burrows, a spinner and top-order batter. But it has lost team of the year paceman, international Lewis O’Donnell, who is staying in the UK. Ryan McDonald will again skipper a Borough outfit that is talented and hungry for success.

Ryan McDonald. Picture: Andy Brownbill

SPOTSWOOD

Last year: Runner-up (13-4)

Leading run-scorer: Jarod Martignago (785 at 52.33)

Leading wicket-taker: Sam Hope (33 at 16.12)

In: Jackson Wadden (returning), Pat McArdle (Altona North)

Out: Harry Lumsden (UK)

Snapshot: There’s no doubt Spotswood will find themselves right towards the pointy end of the ladder again this season. The return of Wadden adds another strong element to an already imposing bowling attack.

TAYLORS LAKES

Last year: 11th (7-8)

Leading run-scorer: Nilan Fernando (547 at 42.08)

Leading wicket-taker: Aamir Raza (23 at 17.52)

In: Chalitha Chamoda (Plenty), Larry Kumara (Sunshine United), Jashan Singh (Aintree), Saihaj Jaspal (Ammanford UK)

Out: Aamir Raza, Arafat Bhuiyan, George Pritchard, Adam Sylvester and Trent Waring.

Snapshot: The winds of change have swept through Lionheart Reserve in the winter with Peter Brasher taking on the role of coach. Securing last season’s leading run scorers in Steff Roberts and Nilan Fernando are big ticks. The Lions will be looking to close the gap on the top-six.

Werribee’s Tim O'Brien cuts. Picture: Andy Brownbil

WERRIBEE

Last year: 5th (10-6)

Leading run-scorer: Tim O’Brien (401 at 33.42)

Leading wicket-taker: Jonathan Burton (34 at 19.81)

In: Matt Watt, Rhys Dodemaide

Out: Matthew Dean, James Freeman, Michael Kelly, Matthew Grose

Snapshot: Consistently among the leading teams in Subbies cricket. It’s hard to see how the Tigers aren’t in the finals mix once again this season. There has been a real changing of the guard with a number of key players departing the club but expect those who made the Second XI so strong to get their chance.

WILLIAMSTOWN

Last year: 9th (7-8)

Leading run-scorer: Matthew Dervan (571 at 57.1)

Leading wicket-taker: Sean Sturrock (39 at 11.79)

In: Daniel Popa (returning from injury), Piran Kent (UK)

Out: Zach Thorne (Prahran), Matthew Twentyman (Rupertswood)

Snapshot: Sturrock’s side will be determined to chase a place in the top-six this season and Popa adds a nice skill set on his return from injury. If another player can join Dervan among the leading run scorers anything might be possible.

YARRAVILLE

Last year: 10th (7-8)

Leading run-scorer: Josh Hahnel (783 at 87)

Leading wicket-taker: Ashish Mathew (26 at 20.77)

In: Michael Sheedy (Mt Waverley), Matthew Harrison (Newcomb), Will Sheffield (Buxted Park), Alex Wood (Warrandyte), Lewis Eldridge (Geelong), Akshat Buch (Mentone).

Out: Jonah Koch (Keilor), Adam Williamson (Altona).

Snapshot: The Eagles will be looking for greater consistency this season with too many up and down results last year. Competition for places will be hot given the number of new faces highlighted by incoming coach Michael Sheedy.