Keilor keeper-batsman Liam Ryan will be looking to have a big VTCA season. 75376_03 Picture: DAMIAN VISENTINI
By ADEM SARICAOGLU
KEILOR is keen to re-establish itself as a competitor in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Senior Division this summer.
The Blues won promotion into the VTCA’s top tier after winning the last season’s North Division premiership, but coach Nigel Freebairn says it’s imperative the club remains in the Senior Division for years to come.
“The expectations are to be competitive and consistent in what we do,” Freebairn said.
“It’s a step back up again for us and the expectations are to be consistent in their performance and I think that if the whole side is consistent and plays at their best, we’ll be hoping for a top four finish.”
To finish in the top four would be a significant improvement for a newly promoted club, but the fact Keilor spent only one season away from the Senior Division means Freebairn expects his players to handle to transition well.
“I think the step down was the real issue,” Freebairn said.
“We’ve been in the Senior Division for probably the best part of about 12 years with just one exception, so most of the guys are used to playing at that higher level.
“I think we’ve got about eight guys in the squad that have played first class cricket internationally or Premier league first XI, so I think we’ve got the players that are capable of succeeding at that level.”
Keilor recently took part in a preseason trip that saw them play VTCA rivals Hoppers Crossing in Yarrawonga.
Freebairn says new recruit, former Essendon Premier cricketer Aaron Mato, stood out with the bat in that match.
“(He) batted very well and got 60 not out in pretty quick time,” Freebairn said.
“He’s certainly a player that we’re expecting big things from this year.”
Freebairn also noted the importance of skipper Danny Law, who last season dominated with a batting average of more than 80 and took 18 wickets with the ball, but it’s the improvement he expects from some of his younger charges that he hopes will also help lift the Blues to new heights.
“We’ve got an exciting wicket keeper batsman Liam Ryan, who promised a lot last year but didn’t capitalise and make some big scores, but he’s a very attacking opening bat,” Freebairn said.
Freebairn said bowler Dan Schuppan should also be looking to improve this summer.
“He took 40 wickets at about an average of 10 last year, so he’ll be a player to watch again this year.”
Weather permitting, Keilor’s season begins on 6 October against St Bernard’s.
Yarraville Club
Ins: Adam Contessa (Royal Park Brunswick), Anthony Clarke-Bruce (South Caulfield)
Outs: Viv Ion (retired), Steven Oosterhof (work commitments)
Last season: First, won grand final
Coach Justin Baker: “Like every season we aim to make the four, obviously to be on top or second would be ideal but we aim to just make the finals and then come finals it’s a completely different game.”
Spotswood
Ins: Khalid Sawas (Cheshire, England)
Outs: Karl Turner (returning to England)
Last season: Third, lost semi-final
Coach Haydn Fletcher: “Our team remains the same so hopefully with some of the changes we’ve brought in with training, we’ll hopefully go at least one better.”
Hoppers Crossing
Ins: Asif Jan (Airport West), Dinesh Daminda (Badureliya, Sri Lanka), Thomas Brett (Northamptonshire, England)
Outs: Nigel Francis (retired), Peter Magafas (Aberfeldie), Gavin McCallum (Aberfeldie), Trent Said (North Melbourne), Fawad Ahmed (Melbourne University)
Last season: Fourth, lost semi-final
Coach Darryl Brown: “No matter what team I have, we go into every season to win the league itself, that’s the intention of every player. We want to compete and we want to win the league, so that’s the main objective.”
