IT’S BEEN a season of new beginnings in Warrnambool cricket, and it’s yet to hit Christmas.
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The Standard has compiled a mid-season review to grade, analyse and capture how your side is stacking up leading into the pointy end of the season.
ALLANSFORD
THE VERDICT: A team littered with pure, unadulterated talent, the Gators are yet to put it together for a complete performance. Languishing in ninth place, they are placed well below their capabilities, but it’s only a matter of time before it clicks.
COACH SAYS: "We've had a slow start. And probably need a couple more contributors every week." – Ben Boyd.
GRADE: D+
BRIERLY-CHRIST CHURCH
THE VERDICT: One of the younger sides in the competition which has shown glimpses of immense talent this season. Continue to fight hard, and well-led by Nathan Murphy, but has fallen to more experienced sides in nail-biters which could be costly at the end of the year.
COACH SAYS: “Club-wise, things are going really well. We're tracking exactly where we wanted to be for the next three or four years. We’re disappointed with the close losses but we're improving." – Nathan Murphy.
GRADE: C
DENNINGTON
THE VERDICT: It’s a new era under the stewardship of DK Ranaweera, and Dennington is tracking relatively well. It has been hurt by unavailability and has managed to blood some future stars to the side while the return of Dustin Drew has been brilliant for its batting line-up.
COACH SAYS: “We’re going okay but did not play well against Wesley. The wickets and weather have not been good so far and the problem we’ve had is that we haven’t made many runs. Hopefully it improves after Christmas.” – DK Ranaweera.
GRADE: C+
EAST WARRNAMBOOL-YCW
THE VERDICT: Captain-coach Mark Murphy is on fire and is proving to be the glue once again. Currently locked in eighth place, this season has so far been mediocre but the Broncos are showing signs of the devastating form which lifted them to the two-day final two seasons ago. They need to claim a couple of big scalps in the new year to take the pressure off Murphy and co.
COACH SAYS: The club was unable to be reached for comment.
GRADE: D+
MERRIVALE
THE VERDICT: The Tigers are struggling to gain momentum and suffered a big blow in the outright loss to Russells Creek. Anchored near the bottom in 10th place, the club will be desperate to build bigger scores with the bat to prevent another slide down the ladder. Merrivale is balanced well with youth and experience.
COACH SAYS: “We’re happy with our bowling performances and in the field but our obvious improvement has to come with the bat.” – Luke Gannon.
GRADE: D+
NESTLES
THE VERDICT: Nestles was absolutely brilliant in the opening months of the season, going through the Twenty20 rounds undefeated and showing off its promising young talent to the competition. It stumbled a bit in the one-day format, but as its veterans find form, it will become stronger.
COACH SAYS: "We're pretty pleased with how they're going and we're trying to bring training to how we'd play on game day. Division one is in the four, so it's pretty positive." – Gary MacLean.
GRADE: B+
NIRRANDA
THE VERDICT: A very young side fighting hard to remain competitive in division one. The promotion of several key youngsters, including the ever-impressive Brody Couch, Damon Cooper, Xavier Mungean, etc. has been a silver lining this season for the bottom-placed club. Has not been outclassed and is looming as a genuine contender for a ladder climb in coming years.
COACH SAYS: "It's always good to be developing players and they're progressing well. We're probably are expected to be. The kids are progressing well.” – Jason Mungean.
GRADE: C
PORT FAIRY
THE VERDICT: A mixed beginning to the year for last year’s grand finalist, Port Fairy. Started the year slowly but the arrival of Sri Lankan star Jason Perera has kicked the Pirates into gear. Lots of of potential and the club continues to blood youngsters. Co-captain Aaron Williams can turn a match or season off his own bat.
COACH SAYS: "For the one-dayers at the start of the season we were a bit slow but we’ve found a bit of form. We need to build on that from here." – Aaron Williams.
GRADE: B
RUSSELLS CREEK
THE VERDICT: This could be the year. For the club who is yet to win a division one premiership, hopes will be flying high after a strong start. The signing of Cameron Williams as captain has been a masterstroke and Sri Lankan trio ‘Lucky’ Silva, Sashan Silva and Izzy Yaddehige have been integral. Unblemished start to the year and the early premiership favourite.
COACH SAYS: "We haven’t had to rely on one or two players this year. There is a lot of depth around the club right now." – Jayaweera Bandara.
GRADE: A+
WESLEY-CBC
THE VERDICT: The Beavers are enjoying their best start to a season in a decade. And their bowling attack is to thank. Ben Evans continues to take wickets while the Bowman boys just get better and better. A real danger for two-day finals.
COACH SAYS: "We spoke about the first half of the season and we're happy with how we've started, we just need to capitalise on the next part of the year now." – Sam McCosh.
GRADE: A+
WEST WARRNAMBOOL
THE VERDICT: The Panthers are expected to welcome a flock of new and returning players to the fold post-Christmas. Currently lodged in fifth place and they are looming as a sneaky finals chance. Could cause a major upset with the talent at their disposal.
COACH SAYS: "We’re building nicely to after Christmas and should have more players available then. We knew we had to make the best of the first half with what we had and we’re excited for the next half.” – Alastair Templeton.
GRADE: B
WOODFORD
THE VERDICT: Powerhouse club which continues to make and win finals. Motivation for more success could be the toughest challenge the talent-laden side faces in its pursuit for another flag.
COACH SAYS: “We're reasonably happy with how we’re going. It’s sometimes a bit tough keeping blokes up week-in, week-out but it’s a long season.” – John Houston
GRADE: A
