By Luke Voogt
Cricketers across Geelong will begin their finals campaigns this Saturday with North Geelong facing South Barwon and Lara taking on East Belmont in the GCA division one firsts.
The division’s leading run-scorer Sean O’Neil will be the man to watch when East Belmont travels to Lara.
O’Neil scored a mammoth 831 runs at 69.25 for the season, including four centuries.
The Lions also boast Shane McNamara, who has averaged 42.83 since returning from England after Christmas and dangerous seamer Dylan McMahon.
But Lara’s batsmen have been solid throughout the season sharing the runs and have two spearheads of their own in Casey Young and Mitch Hayward.
Lara finished level on points with minor premier North Geelong but behind on percentage.
North, last season’s premier due to COVID-19 cancelling the finals, will take on fourth-placed South Barwon on Saturday.
North will look to captain Tom Mathieson and Sam Hall for leadership with the bat, while spinners Mitch Troy and Tom Bagg will bolster the side’s attack.
South Barwon’s top run-scorer Clinton Peake could carry the Swans’ hopes at the crease, while Brad Hauenstein is also a vital player following a standout season with both bat and ball.
Grovedale, South Barwon, North Geelong and East Belmont will face off in the seconds, while in the thirds the latter three clubs and St Joseph’s will play semi-finals.
The fourths semi-final round features St Joseph’s, North Geelong, Newtown-Chilwell and East Belmont.
In GCA division two minor premiers Bell Post Hill take on fourth-placed Torquay, while T20 competition winners Marshall play third-placed Geelong City.
All-rounder Glen Talarico, batsman Rhys Burke and bowler David Handley could be important for Bell Post Hill, while Torquay will look to all-rounders Michael Cox and James Fisher for big games.
In the other semi-final division-leading run-scorer Corey Walter could be dangerous with the bat, after amassing 655 runs for the season at 46.79.
But he and the other Marshall batsmen will have to contend with the bowling of Byron Taylor, while City captain Jack Driver has been solid with the bat this season.
In the seconds St Peters, Bell Park, Bell Post Hill and Geelong City will play, while the thirds semi-finals feature Torquay, Marshall, Bell Post Hill and St Peters.
In GCA division three minor premier Geelong West plays St Albans Breakwater while in the other semi-final Lethbridge takes on Corio.
Geelong West’s and St Albans Breakwater’s second XIs face off in the grade below, while Manifold Heights will play Waurn Ponds-Deakin in the other seconds semi-final.
Several GCA retire 100s and retire 50s one day divisions will also play semi-finals this Saturday.
