Local Cricket, by Jim Timberlake
Geelong Cricket Club moves into the two day section of the Premier Cricket fixture tomorrow rattled by the news that star fast bowler Dom McGlinchey will miss the remainder of the season with a serious injury.
Unfortunately, McGlinchey has suffered a re-occurrence of the foot problem that saw him miss the second half of last season.
While the loss will hopefully be balanced out by the imminent return of Jake Reed from a side strain, it is still a bitter blow and will test the already stretched depth of the club’s bowling stocks.
Last week’s one day game against Kingston Hawthorn was washed out, meaning after five rounds, the Cats have just one win to their name from three completed games.
Tomorrow they travel to Toorak Park to play Prahran, who have had a similar start to their season with just one win, meaning this is a very important game for both sides if they want to stay in touch with the top eight.
While the loss of McGlinchey is huge, the door opens for someone else to step in and make their mark. With the club crying out for new talent, the door is ajar for the next star bowler to make their name.
In the Geelong Cricket Association, round three will revert to a one day round after last Saturday was washed out. While the match of the round is clearly between two undefeated sides in Newtown & Chilwell and St Josephs, there are a number of other matches that will be critical to the final standings at the end of the season.
With the GCA looking to reduce the number of teams in division one from 12 to 10 next season, two clubs will be relegated, meaning based on the two year rolling average, a number of clubs are already in the firing line. Newtown & Chilwell are one of those sides after a number of poor seasons, but their solid start to the year will give them hope that they can stay in the top flight.
Bell Post Hill narrowly avoided relegation themselves over the winter, they will need to take some big scalps this year if they want to stay up, and there would be no bigger scalp than reigning premier Grovedale who they play tomorrow. The Tigers were thrashed in round one before taking the points against North Geelong, but still haven’t hit their straps and could still be vulnerable early.
The other game with ramifications for the relegation battle will be the one between Leopold and St Peters. While newly relegated St Peters can be forgiven for taking a little time to find their feet back in division one, Leopold have disappointed for a number of years now, and really need to make a stand if they want to keep their proud record in the top division intact.
The prospect of two sides going down at the end of this season certainly adds an extra layer of intrigue into what is already a hard season to gauge.
As a result of these changes, division two clubs know that even a good showing this season will count for little as no one will be going up this year. Having said that, it will be in all clubs interest to put as many points in the bank as possible if they want to go up in 18 months time.
The likes of Highton and Marshall have been the clubs that have shown consistent depth and performance in recent seasons, not only their First XI but also through their grades. Marshall in particular have picked up a few lower grade premierships, and have made no secret of their desire to go up and have a crack against the big boys in division one. With a youthful squad, and improving facilities, the Bears will see tomorrows game against Geelong West as a chance to continue to put the building blocks in place.
While most eyes will be on the race for the premiership cups in all grades and divisions this season, an interesting subplot of promotion and relegation will continue to bubble away below the surface.
