By Jim Timberlake
Local cricketers resume from their winter slumber this weekend, with Geelong heading to Dandenong in the hope a new off-field structure can turn around last season’s disappointing Victorian Premier Cricket campaign.
The loss of key personnel didn’t help but it’s fair to say the Cats struggled to perform at a level with which they would have been happy.
The reappointment of coach Damian Shanahan has led to a host of big names agreeing to join the off-field staff.
Veteran Luke Muller and highly regarded premier cricket identity Kent Hannam will be joint assistant coaches. Former players Liam Buchanan and Grant Lindsay have been appointed batting and bowling coaches respectively.
The success in adding to its stocks has failed to flow through to the on-field line-up, which will look to its young playing group to soak up the coaches’ experience.
With opportunities available throughout the grades, time will tell which players stand up to become future stars of the club this season.
Geelong Cricket Association’s slightly modified fixture has three rounds of one-day matches kicking off a 13-round season.
Probably the biggest move over the winter was the return of Chris Bambury to Lara. Having led East Belmont to premiership glory in March, Bambury has honoured a promise to finish his career with the Cats.
Lara will be thankful, having lost Nathan Yates back to Ballarat.
East Belmont will look to returning stars Matt Lineker and Sam Scannell to fill the void, particularly with Shaun Hooley hanging up his boots.
North Geelong has recruited Jacob Thorne from Geelong Cricket Club as well as his brother Zac. The spin bowling duo will add some experience and depth to a promising list.
Murgheboluc joins the top division for the first time and has been fortunate enough to secure the services of gun all-rounder Glen Talarico from Geelong West. Talarico missed all of last season with a back injury and will be anxious to repay some of his new club’s faith in him.
Geelong City has added Tom Elliott to its squad. The star player has returned from Geelong to lead a young side full of promise but short on experience.
Selections: St Joseph’s v GEELONG WEST, NORTH GEELONG v Murgheboluc, Highton v GEELONG CITY, NEWTOWN & CHILWELL v Leopold, Grovedale v EAST BELMONT, SOUTH BARWON v Lara
In division two, reigning premier Newcomb & District has lost coach Simon Anderson to Geelong and is yet to confirm whether tearaway paceman Richard Stanyon will return from England. This will bring the side back to the field and test its depth.
Thomson has appointed Grant Dew as captain coach. One of his immediate joys will be the securing of last season’s premiership wicket keeper/batsman Jonny Kettle from East Belmont, courtesy of the association’s controversial player/points allocation system.
Bell Post Hill was the unfortunate team to suffer relegation from division one and will enter the season with the likelihood of Alex Cairns playing at Geelong. The Panthers will need to dig deep on their playing reserves to remain competitive.
Selections: ALEXANDER THOMSON v Guild St Mary’s, WAURN PONDS v Manifold Heights, Newcomb & District v ST ALBAN’S BREAKWATER, Bell Post Hill v MODEWARRE, St Peter’s v TORQUAY, THOMSON v Marshall
In division three, Meredith has appointed Andy Forster as coach to try taking the club one step further than the past two runner-up seasons.
While the Rams have had a star-studded line-up over the past few years, their inability to claim the ultimate prize has been frustrating.
Ashley Carter will lead Bell Park’s quest for back-to-back flags. With a promising young squad, the Dragons will start favourites.
Selections: LETHBRIDGE v Winchelsea, MEREDITH v Corio, North Shore v BELL PARK, SHELFORD v Inverleigh, Bannockburn v CORIO BAY, lITTLE RIVER v Teesdale
