Title fight wide open
Has there ever been a GCA2 competition as even as what this season promises to be? All eight clubs have legitimate claims of not only playing finals but being in flag contention, as Geelong Advertiser sports reporter DAMIEN RACTLIFFE explains
Captain-coach: Michael Lymer Ins: Ben Spencer (Marshall), Matthew Spencer, Charles Johnston (Highton), Damien Priddle (Moama), Luke Priddle (Wallington) Outs: none Last season: Third, GCA2 Club says: “We’ve got a lot to learn from last year, even though we had quite a successful season on and off the field. A real positive for us this year, we’ve got depth. But this year, every game looks like a tough game, regardless of when it is,” captain-coach Michael Lymer. Addy says: The Dragons go into the new summer with unfinished business having gone through 2016-17 undefeated before the shock straight-sets finals exit. The credentialed Ben Spencer goes straight into the Dragons’ first XI, making them one of the teams to beat.
BELL POST HILL
Captain-coach: Matthew Sampson-Barnes Ins: Luke Zanchetta (Darwin CC) Outs: Jason Grozdanovski (Murgheboluc), Anthony Foord (Torquay), Rhys Burke (St Joseph’s)
Last season: 11th, GCA1 Club says: “I think we’ve got a really good chance. We’ve got a good bunch of lads who are all really good mates, I think that’s going to play a good part in it. It’s obviously going to be a different standard, but we’re not going to take it as an easy competition,” captain-coach Matthew SampsonBarnes. Addy says: The former GCA1 club has lost three key players from last year’s side that struggled in the top tier, and this season’s competitive GCA2 division will not offer any relief. But still expect it to be around the mark, knocking on the door for finals.
HIGHTON
Coach: Brad Scown Captain: Jacob Smith Ins: Brad Scown (Lara), Zachary Smith (Hamilton District Cricket Association) Outs: none Last season: Runner-up, GCA2 Club says: “GCA2 takes a different perspective this year. With two GCA1 sides dropping back and the lower part of GCA2 dropping out, all of a sudden it becomes eight tough sides. Realistically the expectation is to win as many games as we can,” coach Brad Scown.
Addy says: It was the clear second-best side in GCA2 last season, consistent through both the regular season and finals. Brad Scown’s inclusion adds GCA1 experience and leadership from his days at North Geelong and Lara, and there is no reason why Highton should not finish in the top half of the table.
MANIFOLD HEIGHTS
Captain-coach: Chris Bambury Ins: Sam Chatterton (Yorkshire, UK), Justin Miller (St Albans-
Breakwater), Luke Kunjka (Bannockburn) Outs: none Last season: Eighth, GCA2 Club says: “We’ll probably be maybe four or five players different from our first XI last year. Our depth is probably better. We’ll have to be at our top to challenge but we’re certainly aiming to play finals. Once you’re in the finals you’re always a chance,” captaincoach Chris Bambury.
Addy says: A few new additions makes Manifold Heights the smoky to cause some serious damage, although, it played bottom-side Guild-Saints twice last season, which flattered its record. It has to improve to be a finals contender. The left-arm pace and the x-factor of Miller is still capable of winning a few games alone.
MARSHALL
Coach: Shane Skene Captain: Kal Dubbeldam Ins: Brandon Gilmour (Gloucestershire, UK) Outs: Ben Spencer (Bell Park), Christopher Mann (UK)
Last season: Fifth, GCA2 Club says: “I just think it’s going to be such an even year. If we turn up and play our best cricket, we’re confident we should be sitting pretty high up at the end of the year,” coach Shane Skene.
Addy says: A finals exit in week one showed Mashall was just off the best sides in the comp. Would not expect any sharp rises or drops based on list changes this season. The two sides dropping from GCA1 put Marshall in a tough fight to play finals again.
NEWCOMB & DISTRICT
Coach: Jeewan De Silva Captain: Luke Slater Ins: none Outs: Braden Szponar (North Geelong), Simon Anderson (retired), Andrew Spengler (retired) Last season: Premier, GCA2 Club says: “We’ve got a lot of depth within the club to come up. We’ve got a number of blokes in the twos we couldn’t get in last year based on points. The competition is going to be a lot stronger than last year but I’m pretty confident we’ll be able to hold our own,” captain Luke Slater. Addy says: Three losses from the Dinos’ first XI raises questions about whether they can hit their heights of last season. They won their first three games last summer but an interrupted pre-season might have them one of the slow starters this campaign. But they also came good when it mattered last season.
ST PETER’S
Coach: Tony Calnon Captain: Stephen Illingworth Ins: Hayden Illingworth (returns from injury), Chad Van Estrop (Heinz Southern Districts, Dandenong District), Josh Widdison (North Geelong), Nicholas Beattie (Highton) Outs: Wayne Wunhym (Keilor, VTCA) Last season: 12th, GCA1 Club comment: “We’re an extremely young side apart from Stephen (Illingworth). We’re just hoping to improve with all the kids we’ve got. We’ve got Bell Park in Round 1, so that will give us a fair idea about where we sit. It’s going to be a pretty strong division,” coach Tony Calnon. Addy says: Have to show plenty of respect to the former GCA1 club who have no intention hanging around in second tier for long. Has bolstered its depth, which creates competition for spots. It will be disappointed if it does not play finals this season.
TORQUAY
Coaches: Ash Russell and Clinton Place Captain: Ash Russell Ins: Douglas Savige (Kew, SubDistrict Cricket), Anthony Foord (Bell Post Hill), Joel Kitchen (Buninyong, Ballarat Cricket Association) Outs: Joel Davies (South Barwon) Last season: Ninth, GCA2 Club says: “We’ve got a bit of a points problem to be honest, we can’t really play our best side but that’s because they’ve moved to the area. But everyone’s aware, so that’s good, it’s contest for spots I suppose. Hopefully that translates to some success,” co-coach Ash Russell. Addy says: Torquay is expected to be the sharp improver this season having recruited strongly in the off-season. Savige and Foord both add experience from higher levels of cricket.