By ADEM SARICAOGLU
MICK Allen’s severe leg injury late in last week’s Riddell District Football League grand final did more than just halt his Riddell Bombers on their way to premiership glory over Diggers Rest.
For the reigning champion Melton Lions of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association, it means chasing another title this summer without their biggest weapon.
Allen, who won last summer’s Hatch Medal with a whopping 957 runs at an average of 73.62, will likely miss a large majority of the 2013/14 VSDCA season after going under the knife last Monday to repair a suspected broken leg.
Lions batsman Jeremy Liddy told Star last week the playing group must push on and get on with the job ahead of October’s season opener away to Yarraville.
“We spoke about it as a group and we’re preparing for him being out for the (entire) season,” Liddy said.
“There’s talk he might be back later in the season but we’ve just got to push on and he’ll be around the club, obviously, but in a playing capacity it probably won’t be until Christmas and closer to the end of the season – and that’s best case scenario.”
The Lions will go into the summer under new guidance with Nathan Geisler returning as player and coach to fill the void left behind by Duncan Harrison, who has taken up a role with Premier Cricket’s Footscray-Edgewater.
The new-look Melton outfit will also be without Pat McKenna, David Kirk and Shane Harwood, but has welcomed former Altona skipper John Varchione, who will assist Geisler with his coaching duties this summer alongside opening batsman Michael Alexander.
Liddy said Geisler has settled into his new role well.
“He played for the club two seasons ago and had last year off, but he knows all the guys and has got a good rapport with everyone, so he’s fit in really well,” Liddy said.
“He’s been leading preseason along with Michael Alexander and John Varchione and they know each other really well, so it’s good.”
Asked if there was any pressure felt from within to maintain Melton’s recent stellar run in the VSDCA, Liddy said the playing group has instead put all the pressure onto itself to produce another summer of quality cricket.
“I think the pressure’s on ourselves to perform – just trying to set the benchmark,” Liddy said.
“It’s going to be even harder because of people leaving the club, Mick’s injury and also other clubs recruiting well and everyone lifting the bar.
“The gap between one and four and even in the top six is closing all the time as well, so I think it’s a great comp to be part of.”
