Lara, Thomson and Newcomb & District remain undefeated after five rounds of the GCA
Three Geelong cricket clubs will approach the first bunch of two-day games undefeated, with one gunning for its first finals appearance in more than seven years.
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It’s the start of the two-day fare in Geelong Cricket Association’s upper echelons and a few clubs have started the season in spotless style.
In GCA2, Lara remains undefeated after demotion while in GCA3, last year’s grand finalists – who restocked with three key players from a rival outfit over the off-season – are also yet to drop a match.
And in GCA4, Newcomb & District is an early leader and hoping to play its first finals match since a GCA2 premiership in March, 2017.
Round 6 analysis and talking points
St Peter’s make a strong fist of things
Following a pair of GCA2 first grade flags in three years, the Saints have performed strongly after promotion into Geelong cricket’s top division.
The Saints knocked off last year’s grand finalist in Round 1 by eight wickets in a superb run chase followed by a commanding 75-run victory over South Barwon on Saturday.
As Round 5 centurion Billy Ford said post-match, the Saints are not here to make up the numbers.
“We’re not sitting here wanting to be that club that just survives, we’re here to make an impact in GCA1 and that’s right through the grades,” Ford said.
“We want to take every point we can, because we’ve got a group of guys who are wanting to have people talking about us as one of the strongest clubs in Geelong.
Meanwhile, it’s been a tough start for East Belmont without star batter Sean O’Neill, yet to win a game, rolled for just 66 by the premiers in Round 4, currently on the bottom of the ladder and unable to restrict opposition scoring during the one-day fixtures.
But it doesn’t tell the full story, with the Lions posting 2-182 off just 25 overs in the opening round.
And their 7-289 against the Two Blues on Saturday would traditionally get you over the line most of the time.
Round 6 will see the Saints and Lions go head to head again.
Cats lick their wounds then hit back hard
After being relegated to GCA2 this summer, the Cats are dominating their new division, currently sitting undefeated and on top after five rounds despite enduring abandonments in Round 1 and 3.
And the game plan appears to be chasing the runs so far, reeling in scores of 162, 247 and then 226 on Saturday against the Frogs, with Andrew Hughes contributing 100 not out.
Dan Weigl, who has stepped up to coach, leads the way with 155 runs, while Kaden Marum has nine wickets at an average of 11.
And George Blatherwick has been a handy replacement for his cousin, Jack Sing Medal-winning Daniel, who shifted to VTCA club St Albans, averaging 40 with the bat and picking up four wickets.
The Cats are level with Torquay who also started the season brilliantly before losing in Round 5 to Leopold by three wickets.
New recruit Tristan Kassis leads all comers with 264 runs at 52, including a century while Murghe’s Jason Grozdanovski has benefited from a spell in the UK to lead all bowlers with 11 wickets at 6.09.
The Dragons breathing fire after promotion
After returning to GCA2 following last summer’s flag, the Dragons have done very well so far in 24-25, knocking off Leopold and then Geelong West comfortably.
And doing the business in both games has been Tassie recruit and opener Sam Elliston-Buckley.
Elliston-Buckley, who hails from Launceston, has scores of 101 off 111 rocks and 66 in those wins.
It’s also been handy to have the expertise of former North Geelong bowler Brad Apps in your armoury, who leads the club with eight wickets at an average of 18 after coming on board as an assistant coach.
In Round 1, the Dragons needed 32 runs off the last five overs before it became too dark to continue in a reduced 25-over format.
Bell Park’s only losses has come against the undefeated Lara, and only then after posting a more than competitive 247, and the premiers of two seasons ago in Murgheboluc.
Tigers on song
Last year’s grand finalists were always going to be a pace setter in 2024-25, after picking up a host of top tier players from St Albans Breakwater, including Zac Smith as coach, Jackson Burke and Blake Ritchie.
All three have had an impact so far in Thomson’s unbeaten start to the year.
While the Tigers have been without GCA3’s top batter of last year, Hamish Coulson, to a back injury, and former Adam Bliss taking an indefinite break, the boys from Godfrey St have won all of their four matches plus its T20 fixture.
Coulson is expected to return before Christmas while there has been talk Bliss might play again this summer.
However, special mention must go to Manifold Heights’ Daniel Pratt, who leads the grade for runs with 200 at 50, but playing in just one victory so far with the Sharks.
Nick Pratt is third on the bowling aggregate with 10 wickets at 17.
Dominant Dinos
The Dinos have started strongly and could be a shot of playing in their first final since a GCA2 first grade premiership in March, 2017.
It’s been a gradual slide for Newcomb ever since, now in GCA4.
However, Newcomb are on top of the first grade ladder following two wins and a tie in their last match against Meredith.
The returning Anthony Quarrell has led the Dinos with the bat, with 123 runs at 41 while Jack Halliday has seven poles at just 6.29 apiece.
Meanwhile, Little River recruit Andrew Spengler has made the shift from the hard wickets of the BPCA to turf with aplomb, leading first grade for runs with 237 runs at 59.
Ballarat recruit Matt Ringin is number one for wickets with 10 at 11.7 apiece for Meredith.
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Originally published as Lara, Thomson and Newcomb & District remain undefeated after five rounds of the GCA
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