Shaun Dean and Tim O’Brien are hoping to lead Werribee to a big year in the Victorian Sub District Cricket season. 87867_03 Picture: MATHEW LYNN
By LIAM TWOMEY
ON the eve of the new Victorian Sub District Cricket season, Werribee captain Shaun Dean is aiming to be the best in the West as he hunts a finals appearance in his first year in the top job.
Werribee has added a number of gun recruits in the off-season including all-rounder Tim O’Brien and top order batsman Matthew Dean.
Based on the high calibre of new faces, Shaun said finals would be the top priority.
“The goal is definitely finals. You always play to make finals,” he said.
“We don’t want to accept mediocrity anymore. I think we have had enough of that over the last few years so a final is definitely our main aim.
“I think our batting was the thing that really needed to improve based on last year and with the players we have brought in it really should.
“I think if we can get over 200 every game that usually wins sub district games so that will be what we are looking for.”
Dean is coming off a stunning season in the VSDCA, with the gun batsman scoring over 500 runs and selected in the competition’s team of the year.
With pre-season training kicking off back in July, Dean said both he and the playing group were looking forward to getting out on the park in round one.
“After watching the old man play for Werribee I’m very excited to be captain of the club and hopefully it all goes very smoothly,” he said.
“We went up to Shepparton over the weekend for a practice game and a training session and that went really well.
“We won reasonably easily, by about 50 or 60 runs and a few blokes got some scores and pushed their cases so we have had a good preparation.
“Hopefully I can maintain that sort of form from last season if not improve. If I can get anywhere near what I got last year I would be pretty happy. It would be great to maintain that and hopefully get the side into the finals.”
Former captain Travis Bean was the only player not to return to Werribee for the new season after he took on a captain/coach role at Point Cook in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
VSDCA Preview
Werribee
Last year: 10
In: Tim O’Brien, Matthew Dean
Out: Travis Bean
“I think our batting was the thing that really needed to improve based on last year and with the players we have brought in it really should. Shaun Dean
Melton Lions
Last year: Premiers
In: Jeremy Liddy
Out: Nathan Geisler, Adam Johnstone, James Wheelahan
“You can’t guarantee that you’ll get a premiership because they’re pretty hard to win, but we’ll be pretty competitive and I suppose everyone’s chasing us.” Duncan Harrison
Sunshine:
Last Year: 13th
After a disappointing 2011/12 season, Sunshine will be out to find improved performance across the board in the hope of climbing the VSDCA ladder.
Altona
Last year: Fourth
In: Mark Mitchell (Coach) Michael Davenport (Coach) Owen Alsop, Josh Wells
Out: Gordon McFarlane
“Our strength this year we think will be building the group through individual coaching. We have a specialist batting coach, specialist bowling coach and a specialist fielding coach.” Mark Mitchell
Williamstown
Last year: 12th
In: Mathew Inness, Cain Speakman, Brendan Heaney, Rohan Crowle
Out: Daniel Popa, Lachlan Broadway, Will Morrison
“I won’t shy away from the fact that ultimately we as a club are all striving for finals appearances and premierships across all four senior grades.” Brenton Hodges
Yarraville
Last year: 14th
In: Tim McRae (Coach) Matthew Harrison, Adam Yates
Out: Paul Thomas
“We have got a few really good bowlers at the club. It is just a matter of getting some more runs and we should be able to be very competitive.” Tim McRae
