Sunshine Coast first grade cricket captains reveal early season award winners

First grade cricket captains have had their say on a range of key topics to reveal their side’s gun recruit, rising star, team of the season chance and biggest pest. See the full list.

Sunshine Coast 24/25 division one cricket captains. Pictures: Mitchell Ensby, Matt Mayo and Facebook.

The Sunshine Coast first grade cricket competition has hit the halfway mark for the 2024/25 season.

Tewantin-Noosa sit comfortably in top spot with regular heavyweights Caboolture and Maroochydore rounding out the top three.

Nambour’s resurgence means they currently sit in fourth spot before a decent gap to the outside six teams.

With around 11 being played this weekend, the Daily has caught up with each side’s captain as they give their thoughts on the opening fixtures and uncover a mid-season award winners.

See what each skipper had to say.

TEWANTIN-NOOSA

Captain: Michael Eckard

Current position: 1st (49 points, 8 wins, 1 loss)

The defending premiers have continued their strong form at the top of the table, announcing themselves as the team to beat once again this season.

“It’s been really good and we can’t complain really,” he said.

“We’ve been playing some good cricket which is really good and good to win the T20 final earlier this season.”

Gun recruit: “Sam Dennien has been amazing at the top of the order. He’s right up there in terms of leading run scorers so he’s been a great addition.

Rising star: “Riley Woolmer is a young fella that came from Cooroy and he’s been playing a few games in first grade. I think for a 16-year-old his awareness and how he goes about his training and involvement on game day is great. He’s got great anticipation which has been a standout trait.”

Tewantin-Noosa wicket-keeper Cooper Lea in action. Picture: Matt Mayo Sports Photography

TOTS chance: “Cooper Lea, our wicketkeeper is doing really well at the moment. He’s always very good with the gloves but has had very limited chances with the bat so no doubt he’s ready to fire when he gets the chance. Jarrod Officer obviously would be the other. If he can keep his form he’ll kick on and will push quite hard at the end of the season.”

Biggest pest: “No one really stands out, I think we’re all quite cruisey but maybe Scott Aufderheide.”

CABOOLTURE

Captain: Cameron Trask

Current position: 2nd (39 points, 6 wins, 2 losses)

“The season for us has been going well, we obviously fell short in the T20’s but it was a good effort from the boys and the one day matches at the moment are looking pretty good,” Trask said.

Caboolture cricketer Jayden Coffin.

Gun recruit: “Harley Lammi is new to the club this season and he’s really stood out, especially in the T20s. He started really strong and has been able to continue his good form which is great.”

Rising star: “Jack Southgate made his debut in first grade last season and is getting another taste this season. He’s still on 15-years-old so he’s obviously still developing but he’s coming along quite nicely.”

TOTS chance: “Brad Teske has been good for us so far this season. He played last year for us but he’s definitely hit a purple patch of form this season with plenty of big scores and leading the way with the bat.”

Biggest pest: “There’s a few, I could name three of them but Lachie Ryan would be the biggest for sure. He’s just a maniac but good fun and that’s the same for Jayden Coffin and Carter Simpson.”

MAROOCHYDORE (SWANS)

Captain: Blaine Schloss

Current position: 3rd (34 points, 7 wins, 1 loss)

After narrowly falling short in the T20 grand final, Maroochydore continue to remain in the hunt for silverware glory this season.

“We’ve started well, it was great to make the T20 final despite not getting the result we were after,” Schloss said.

“We had a great campaign winning all of our round games and beating a strong Caboolture team in the semi but Tewantin-Noosa were too good in the final.

“There’s two more titles for us to chase this year and we’re hoping to have some success in those remaining formats.”

Maroochydore cricketer Luke McInnes.

Gun recruit: “The first person that comes to mind would be Henry Wilson, one of our English imports this year. He hasn’t majorly got going just yet but he’s still adapting and once he finds his groove he’ll be hard to stop. Looks to be a player that can win us games off his own bat.“

Rising star: “Most of the younger guys at Maroochydore are with the Cygnets but if I had to land on a player it would be Aryan Sanjay. He hasn’t played a lot for us so far but he did win us a T20 game earlier in the season. He’s been building for the last few years and continues to improve.“

TOTS chance: “I think Tom Olsen is having a really good season for us, he hasn’t been getting the wickets he deserves but has been opening the bowling for us every game. The wickets always fall at the other end due to his pressure so he’d be one to keep an eye on. Josh Tyson is leading the way for us with the ball. He’s one of our more senior players who opened the batting and bowling during the T20’s so it’s hard to ignore his form.“

Biggest pest: “I’d say 10 blokes if I could but Luke McInnes stands out. He’s a great competitor that’s been a key player for us for a number of years and is well respected in this competition. In saying that he is certainly an off-field pest that doesn’t mind getting under the skin of the opposition.”

NAMBOUR

Captain: Nick Wallace

Current position: 1st (34 points, 7 wins, 3 losses)

The cutters have emerged from the wilderness this season, making a return to the finals for the first time in seven seasons.

“I’ve been really happy with our start to the season. The vibes around the squad have been really high and positive and it’s a good mix this season,” Wallace said.

“We’ve had some older guys come back in John Turnbull and Steve Heise that’s brought great composure to our team.

“We’ve handled the ups and downs well, it was good to play T20 finals after missing out for a good seven or eight years and hopefully we can continue that with the longer formats too.”

Nambour cricketer Steven Ledger. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Gun recruit: “Steve Hiese, he’s given us great presence up front with the new ball after playing plenty of grade cricket over the years. Having his experience up front gives us a good opening threat and is passing that experience onto the younger guys.”

Rising star: “Braidyn Scott, he’s a young lad that comes from Nanango. He’s been a part of the club for a few years now but this is his first proper crack in the seniors. He’s done great at that number four or five slot with some important innings. I’m really happy with what he’s done so far and I’m quite optimistic with what else he’ll achieve this season.“

TOTS chance: “I think Steve Ledger and John Turnbull would be right up there at the moment. They’ve both made plenty of runs and have been hitting the ball really well.“

Biggest pest: “Sam Eiby for sure. He’s a great bloke to have around the team, he keeps the vibes nice and high but after a while, as all good pests do, he can wear you down. Every team needs one and we love having him around our team.”

GLASSHOUSE

Captain: Joel Owen

Current position: 5th (21 points, 3 wins, 5 losses)

Glasshouse have begun to turn the tide after a horror two win season in 2023/24 saw them finish clear at the bottom of the table.

Unfortunately, their captain was unable to be reached for comment prior to publishing.

COOLUM

Captain: Stefan Hook

Current position: 6th (21 points, 3 wins, 5 losses)

After a well put together 2023/24 season, where the Sharks finished fourth overall, they haven't been able to reach the same heights so far this season.

“We’ve struggled a bit to be honest, we’ve got a bunch of new guys and just haven’t all been able to get on the same page or up to speed but we are getting better every week,” Hook said.

“Hopefully we can string some performances and wins together and come home strong.”

Coolum Sharks bowler Corey Perren. Picture: Matt Mayo Sports Photography

Gun recruit: “Stewart McArthur, he’s come over from Maroochydore where he struggled to get a gig but he’s fit in with us really well and continues to improve each week.“

Rising star: “I’d maybe say Braydon Simpson. He’s fitting into a bit of a new role with us but is slowly putting it together and getting better each game.“

TOTS chance: “Brady Barnett, he’s only been able to play a few games for us due to work commitments but he’s scored a hell of a lot of runs in that time. Hopefully he can really push to the top of the runs corers list despite his limited chances.

Biggest pest: “Biggest pest is Corey Perren for sure. Very easy pick for me and anyone that knows him would agree I reckon.“

GYMPIE

Captain: Kelvin Cochrane

Current position: 7th (19 points, 3 wins, 6 losses)

Despite a tough run of results, Gympie have continued to blossom a number of young, talented players looking to further their game.

“It’s been a bit of a struggle to be honest but there still are plenty of positive signs,” he said.

“The greatest thing for us is that big focus on young guys coming through and we have four or five lads that are 15, 16 and 17-years-old making their debut or making their way through the grades.

“They keep showing great signs which is good but player availability in our first team has been the hardest thing.”

Gympie Gold cricketer Cooper Keogh. Picture: Contributed.

Gun recruit: “Lewis Andreassen, he’s only played a handful of games but has been great. He made his debut last season, is still on 15 and hit 50 for us against a strong Tewantin-Noosa side. His bowling has been great too so he’s fit in really well and is plugging the gap in our middle order.

Rising star: “Lewis could fit in this category as well obviously but Cooper Keogh has continued to improve. He was another that debuted last season and has carried his rising form into this season.“

TOTS chance: “Josh Brady is always a good shout for us, he’s had some big innings with the bat which has been good but I’d also so Cooper as well. He will no doubt be in the hunt if he continues to bowl well.

Biggest pest: “I reckon if you put it to the boys they’d say me but I’d say Nathan Roderick. He’s got decent chat about him and does some good impressions or accents on the field so he’s a good larrikin to have.“

MAROOCHYDORE (CYGNETS)

Captain: Jack Parker

Current position: 8th (17 points, 3 wins, 7 losses)

New to the division one competition this season, the Cygnets have been a solid addition to the top grade.

“It’s been quite an encouraging start to be honest,” he said.

“We’ve had quite a bit of turnover throughout the team but we’ve blooded a lot of new players and there’s been plenty of positives from our team and from the club.”

Maroochydore cricketer Sye Luckie.

Gun recruit: “I would go with Sye Luckie, he’s come back to the club after a year away with Nambour and has been a great addition. He’s handy with the bat and ball.“

Rising star: “Oscar Cawse is our young left arm off spinner. He’s only 17 I believe and has already shown plenty of potential. The other one would be Christian Waterhouse who is our young wicket-keeper and batter. He’s still got plenty of cricket to go but is taking great strides against good opposition.“

TOTS chance: “I think Zayde Williams has been among our best. He produced one of the best innings I’ve ever seen earlier in the season when he put the team on his back and scored 100. Hopefully he can kick on and continue his form.“

Biggest pest: “I’d say Locke Robinson, you just never know what you’re going to get. He’s a lovely but rare unit.”

CALOUNDRA

Captain: Will Carlile

Current position: 9th (10 points, 2 wins, 7 losses)

“It’s been pretty tough so far, we haven't got the results we’ve been after and it’s a bit disappointing considering we performed quite well last season,” he said.

“We’ve had good periods of cricket and been there a bouts at stages but have just let teams get away from us or get a roll on too early which makes it too hard for us.”

Rising star: “Hunter Peters is a young guy that’s come through the grades and has been going okay at the top of the order.”

Caloundra cricket captain Will Carlile. Picture: Mitchell Ensby

TOTS chance: “Trent Park has been putting together some good performances for us with both the bat and ball. His leg spin has been a great find for us this season and has been hitting the ball as well as anyone I think. He’d just be hoping to convert his mid range scores into some more big innings.”

Biggest pest: “I’d go with Ben Barney, he loves to get intense on the field and never shies away from throwing chat off the field.”

PALMWOODS

Captain: Clayton Taylor

Current position: 10th (5 points, 2 wins, 7 losses)

It’s been a tough start for Palmwoods in their return to the first grade competition this season but some gritty performances have earnt them some outside admirers so far.

Unfortunately, their captain was unable to be reached for comment prior to publishing.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast first grade cricket captains reveal early season award winners