MILDURA SETTLERS
President: Greg Schultz
Coach: Greg Smart
First Division captain: Braidyn Turnerjho
Last year: Premiers
In: Mark Cleary, Andrew Petrie, Jonty Purdue, Nick Mee, Liam Garlick
Out: Seamus Keogh, Paddy Keogh (both in the new year)
Greg Schultz says: “We’re obviously keen to push for four flags in a row.
“The good thing is the amount of numbers we’ve got across the board, it’s great for us to have so much participation across all grades.
“It’s our 50th anniversary this year so it’s a special time at the club and we’re looking to hopefully make it a successful and enjoyable season both on and off the field.
“We’re looking forward to having former players and members back to the club and everything will hopefully lead to another great season. We all just can’t wait to get out and play some cricket.
“After having the year off, Mark (Cleary) is ready to come back to action. He and Andrew (Petrie) will be doing coaching at junior level as well which is great for the club.
“Jonty will add to our all-rounder stocks, especially with Seamus and Paddy likely moving away after Christmas, so he helps fill that void.”
Sunraysia Daily says: Three things in life are certain – death, taxes and Mildura Settlers being in the running for the SCA premiership.
After yet another title in March, you would have thought there wasn’t any way for them to get stronger. Yet they seemingly have.
The depth in the Settlers squad is frightening, with the inclusion of veterans Cleary and Andrew especially, and the powerhouse side of the past decade would be at incredibly short odds to become just the third team in SCA history to win four consecutive titles.
COOMEALLA WENTWORTH
President: Jordan Wade
Coach: Liam Freeman
First Division captains: Luke Cullinan and Matt Job
Last year: Runner-up
In: Jay Turlan
Out: Cameron Douglass, Mat Andrews
Liam Freeman says: “It’s been a bit difficult with the stop-and-start nature of everything at the moment, and having to accommodate for different rules on both sides of the river.
“We’ve lost a couple of players but we’re still pretty confident in the side we’ve got. We’re still pretty confident with our bowlers, with Justin (Freeman) and Bevan (Wade) leading the way, and hopefully a few more guys can help step up and keep that bowling unit competitive.
“We know what we can do and we know how much hard work we’ve got to do to take that next step. Hopefully in the next couple of seasons we can build to that level.
“Jay Turlan has come in and is handy with the bat and ball. Hopefully he can help fill that role that Cam Douglass has left.
“Hopefully we can have another good season with Mat Job and Luke Cullinan at the top of the order and if Bevan can play at a similar level to last season, or even better, we think we’re in a pretty good position.”
Sunraysia Daily says: The Blues were perhaps the surprise packet of last year’s competition, making the grand final in the solely one-day format and could be dark horses to go deep again.
Their bowling line-up was undoubtedly their biggest strength with Bevan Wade (36 wickets), Justin Freeman (33) and Liam Freeman (26) all finishing inside the top five wicket-takers in the competition.
They have been impressed with the development of Tom Stokes, who took five wickets in three games late last season and will add another weapon to their arsenal.
GOL GOL
President: Daron Hulls
Coach: Adam Thomson
First Division captain: Adam Thomson
Last year: Semi-final loss
In: Luke Hickey, Ben Hallam, Callan Humphreys
Out: Muhammed Haidry, Jesse McGinty, Matt Cameron
Adam Thomson says: “Luke Hickey, Ben Hallam and Cal Humphreys all come across from Mildura West to help strengthen the side and add that younger demographic. We’ve probably started to get a bit more on the older side the last few years, so having these guys at about 24 or 25 will be handy.
“Ben probably fills that opener’s role that we’ve been missing for a couple seasons to play alongside Shac (Thomas) and he’s got an SCA century to his name. Luke will bowl plenty of overs and has come on board as assistant coach as well. He and Cal will add a bit with our fast-bowling stocks taking a bit of a hit.
“We’re hopeful Matt Cameron might came back in the second half of the season but we’ve lost Mo Haidry to Melbourne for work and Jake Albrecht is stuck in SA with border restrictions, so there’s a few fast bowlers out.
“Hopefully Oscar Jensen, Nick’s younger brother, will play a bit more – he had a couple of games at the back end of last season. Zac Tankard is one we’ll probably be giving some opportunities to with the bat. He’s come out of under-16s now and we’re hoping he’ll play a pretty big role in the middle order.”
Sunraysia Daily says: It’s a new identity for the former Workers Gol Gol, and a slightly new line-up to go with it as well. The Mildura West additions all have their own strengths that will add to one of the deepest First Division line-ups in the SCA, with Hickey especially looming as a valuable commodity.
We know just how much of a loss Cameron is to the side and with Albrecht also missing, it will be telling to see how the new-look bowling line-up comes together.
Batting depth remains no area of concern with 2020-21 Innes Medal winner Shacaya Thomas, Wade Hancock and Adam Thomson, who all loom as ideal players for young Tankard to learn from.
IRYMPLE
President: Glen Crisera
Coach: Shane Garraway
First Division captain: Mark Thomson
Last year: Semi-final loss
In: Billy Phelan
Out: N/A
Mark Thomson says: “It has been a bit difficult with everything that’s been going. We got into a nice rhythm before the last lockdown came around but everyone has been right back into it.
“We have some returning players that will help improve Second Division, which will be great for our depth. It’s been a relatively stable line-up for us over the past couple of years.
“Obviously we’ll aim to have the best win-loss ratio we can, but the change of format will be interesting. Limited overs probably suited us a bit more, but I think we’ve got the cattle to still be a strong team across two days.
“We have got a number of all-rounders in the team, which means we have quite a few batsman and about six or seven guys we can call on to bowl, which gives me a few options.
“Nick Giofre has stepped up to the vice-captain role after coming back last season. We’ll look to him to provide some strong batting and glovework behind the stumps. That also allows Jordy Payne a chance to roll the arm over and provide a few leggies.”
Sunraysia Daily says: The Swallows remain a relatively settled line-up coming into the new campaign, and their all-round ability gives them great flexibility.
It will be a blow to not have Dan Coghlan available as often this season, taking a step back for family reasons, but returning young gun Billy Phelan will add some pace and batting depth in the middle order.
The miserly Swallows conceded 1612 runs last campaign, more than 400 runs fewer than the next best side, however scored only the sixth-highest run total despite finishing on top of the table.
MILDURA WEST
President: Richard Chamberlain
Coach: Davison Mbindi
First Division captain: Shane Driscoll
Last year: Fifth
In: Sean Hawkins, Lachlan Lawrance
Out: Luke Hickey, Ben Hallam, Callan Humphreys
Davison Mbindi says: “We’ve obviously lost some very good players but we’ve got a couple of interesting new recruits into the side this year. One has come from Melbourne and one from Bendigo and we’re looking forward to seeing them in action.
“We’re playing under a new captain in Shane Driscoll, who will be a great influence and leader for the playing group.
“Our team chemistry feels like it is a lot better than this time last season and I’m really looking forward to us getting out there and playing some good cricket.
“Finals are definitely the goal for the season, and we just want to play the game in a positive manner.
“As well as making sure we’re having fun, the work we’re putting into this playing unit will hopefully allow youngsters to get an opportunity over the next few years and as a club we can take steps forward in future seasons. We’re really trying to build that strong culture.”
Sunraysia Daily says: There is a bit of unknown about West this season, especially losing the “triple H” trio to Gol Gol, but Davison Mbindi has high hopes for top-order batsman Hawkins and bowling all-rounder Lawrance.
Into his 20th year in Australia, Chris Williams continues to be a vital player with bat and ball while Driscoll is an astute choice to captain the side.
Young pace bowler Joel Minter is one player who will look for further opportunities to cement himself in First Division, and he has reportedly been flying in pre-season sessions.
NICHOLS POINT
President: Karl Ferguson
Coaches: Shaun Mathews, Brad Thomas
First Division captain: Brad Thomas
Last year: Sixth
In: Mark Fraser
Out: Luke Coates, Leigh Thomson-Mathews, Tyson Giles, Tate Hulland
Karl Ferguson says: “It’s probably going to be a bit of a transition year for us. We have a few outs but that in turn will also allow a few more opportunities for some younger guys to put their hands up.
“Lewis Dichera and Miguel Ilardi got opportunities last season but will probably get more of a chance to play in First Division. Brett Cummings also played a few games late so hopefully we can get a full season out of him.
“We still have some great leaders in Shaun (Mathews) and Brad (Thomas) who will hopefully help get results on the board.
“Everyone is upbeat and we’re all looking forward to getting back out there to play some cricket. Personally I believe once we get one game done, everyone will feel a lot better knowing we’re off and away.
“The new pitches are coming along really well and we’re expecting them to be pretty much ready by the start of December.
Sunraysia Daily says:
The Pointers are still searching for that first finals appearance, but at this stage it looks like it will be a younger line-up in the top grade this season.
Coates looms as a big loss, indicating to the club he is set to take a year off from cricket to look after his body, leaving Dan Chapman, Jack Norton and Rakii Woeti to carry the fast bowling stocks.
Outside the co-coaches, Dean Fulco will play an important role at the top of the order and a few extra runs from him will keep the scoreboard ticking over.
MILDURA EAST
President: Matt Hunt
Coach: Josh Berry
First Division captain: Josh Berry
Last year: Seventh
In: Tyson Giles, Andrew Ross
Out: N/A
Josh Berry says: “The club are able to field five senior sides this year, with two Fourth Division teams, which is something we haven’t done since 2007. Everyone is really buzzing about seeing the club and committee really trying to drive success.
“We have Tyson Giles coming back to the club, which is great for us because he is in that age demographic we’ve been looking for. He will probably hold down the number four batting spot for us for the year.
“Andrew Ross hasn’t played much cricket over the past couple of years but he’s coming back to bat probably five or six, and hopefully send down a few overs with the new ball as well.
“To have a top order of Tom Vadlja, myself, Blake Meyers, Tyson, Rossy and Aaron Cordell batting at six, we’re really happy with the spread we’ve got.
“We’d like to be knocking on the door of finals while still giving some more exposure to these younger players.”
Sunraysia Daily says: Youth continues to be the focus for Mildura East for the new campaign, and the continued development of those young guns will be a major factor in any success.
The return of Giles to help build the top of the order will be a big addition while Blake Meyers has also been elevated to vice-captaincy.
The Hunt brothers, Jayden and Zane, could be a menacing opening bowling combination for East if their improvement continues on its current trajectory.
MERBEIN SOUTH
President: Aaron Walder
Coach: Melville Lyons
First Division captain: Aaron Walder
Last year: Eighth
In: Josh Stanley, Anis Bugti, Mark East, Mat Andrews
Out: Campbell Griffiths
Melville Lyons says: “We’ve had about 65 guys train so far and of those you could easily say there are 20 new players or guys who didn’t play last year.
“We have made a conscious effort to try and bring some newer blood to the top levels, where we struggled a bit last season.
“We did push a lot of our kids to higher grades last year, some maybe before they were ready, so trying to get some other players in to help solidify the top grades was always the goal.
“We’ve got some good veterans, all over 40, and our junior program is also going pretty well, it’s that age gap in between that we’ve needed to fill.
“There’s no easy fix but I’m confident we’ll be pretty competitive in First Division this season.”
Sunraysia Daily says: After going winless last season, the Saints have gone hard on the recruitment front to try and push themselves up the table.
Scoring the lowest run total of any team, and conceding the second-highest, there are a few areas to improve for the Saints, but veteran Walder taking over as skipper should give the side a cool head at the top.
Hamim Miah top-scored last year with 246 runs, 25th best in the competition, so getting a standout run scorer will be vital. Andrews and East should provide some extra depth.
