It’s the midway point of the Geelong Cricket Association Division 1 season and with competition set to resume on Saturday 10 January, Justin Flynn runs through each side’s performance so far.
North Geelong (ladder 1st, points 37.83)
Just the one loss for the Magpies and you get the feeling they are about to crank it up after the break coming off two fairly lacklustre performances.
Ned Cooper (236 runs at 33.67) is the leading rungetter with star all-rounder Alistair McCann (228 at 45.60) not far behind.
Connor Hangan has two half-centuries and has been bowling well, particularly in the T20 comp.
Tom Meredith remains one of the competition’s most miserly bowlers and if Philip Visser can spend more time at the crease, along with paceman Dale Kerr contributing, there is no reason why North Geelong won’t be there again on grand-final day.
East Belmont (2nd, 33.34)
It’s no secret that East Belmont’s strength lies with its run-scoring potential.
Shane McNamara (349 runs at 49.14) remains a prize wicket, Luke Inglis (342 at 68.40) has scores of 101 not out and 95 and James Lidgett (336 at 56) has made four half-centuries plus a 42.
Sean O’Neill’s return after a season off has yielded a respectable 220 runs at 44 and Lachlan Inglis has chipped in with 158 runs at 39.50.
Left-arm quick Jack Jenkins has enjoyed a successful return after a year off with 15 wickets, new-ball partner Dylan Moroney has taken 12 wickets and Lachlan Molyneux’s spin has yielded 10.
East Belmont will be thereabouts again.
South Barwon (3rd, 32.02)
Harry Hauenstein is the leading runscorer with 319 at 53.17 and he also has eight wickets, including a five-for.
Clay Mulgrew looks to be getting into the swing of GCA cricket with 218 runs, including being heartbreakingly run out for 99 last round.
Sam Ellis (160 runs), Bryson Nicholls (149), Tom Meredith (125) and Gurpreet Singh (123) have contributed while Nick Butters is rightfully bowling more and offers a lot, not only as a batter, but as a right-arm orthodox spinner.
Grovedale (4th, 26.86)
Quick Sam Coutts has had a terrific half-season with 19 wickets, but next best is Riley Stone with nine.
Batting has been more productive for Grovedale with Jordan Moran (325 runs at 54.17), Josh Windus (287 at 47.83), Jack Wrigglesworth (285 at 57), Brayden Engelmen-Baker (214 at 30.57) and Michael McNeel (201 at 33.50) all passing 200 runs.
The Tigers have Lara, St Joseph’s and St Peters to begin 2026 and will be looking for two wins.
St Peters (5th, 26.37)
The Saints have had some good wins, but some bad losses, with the round 7 clash against Grovedale a prime example – all out for 58 and i2 all out in round 5.
Brad McMaster (249 runs at 41.50) has been ultra consistent and Luke Ford’s (241 runs) 117 in round 4 reminded everyone of his class. Billy Ford (218 runs) has also played well at times.
Bowling-wise it’s been paceman James Stokes’ 21 wickets, including a 7/42 and 5/9 that has led the way. Jack Trewin is next best with nine.
One-day fixtures against Newtown & Chilwell, Lara and Grovedale straight after the break represent a good chance for St Peters to make a finals push.
St Joseph’s (6th, 26.10)
Austin Humphrey (15 wickets) and Ollie King (12) have led Joeys’ attack, but probably need more support.
Andrew Casey has been ultra consistent with scores of 50, 116, 18, 45, 87, 22 and 72 for 410 runs at 58.57 and Zane Keighran is a class above with two centuries from four innings. Jonathan Casey (226 runs at 32.29) has scores of 68, 58, 38 and 28 and could be primed for a big one very soon.
Lara (7th, 25.34)
Vishesh Malhotra has had some season. The hard-hitting batter has made 412 runs, including a whirlwind 209 in round 1 and that doesn’t include a 96 not out in the T20 competition. Malhotra has also made three ducks (one in T20), but you forgive the low scores when he brings so much firepower. Dan Weigl has 248 runs at 49.60 and Kaden Marum 187 at 26.71.
Luke Wilson has delivered with the pace bowler snaring 16 wickets while Marum has picked up 11.
That win against East Belmont just before the break has opened the door for the Cats to play finals. One-day clashes against Grovedale, St Peters and South Barwon just after the break could define their season.
Newtown & Chilwell (8th, 20.08)
Consecutive wins to end the year was just the tonic the Two Blues needed.
Although anchored at the bottom of the ladder, there is not much of a gap separating 4th from 8th.
Tyson Windus has had a terrific season with 283 runs, although with scores of 70, 58, 58 and 53, he will be looking to convert after the break.
Pat McKenna has 240 runs and Lachie Sperling 219.
Sperling’s left-arm finger spinners have netted nine wickets and paceman Nick Burke also has nine.
