Semi-final loss still ‘stings’

BARRY Tsitas is trying to keep cricket off his mind, but he concedes Grovedale’s semi-final exit still stings. Thrashed to the tune of eight wickets by East Belmont in a major boilover in GCA1, Tsitas was left to lament a wasted season as the Tigers bowed out of the race for a three-peat of flags. But the four-time GCA1 premiership captain is adamant his side will bounce back next season, confirming the playing list had committed to playing on. “I haven’t heard anyone suggest that they won’t play next year,” Tsitas said yesterday. “It is pretty early, but none of the guys have told me anything different. “We’ll get down there on Saturday and watch the twos in the grand final and there might be a chat or two then, but there’s no reason for me to think that anyone is leaving or retiring.” Recruits Luke Ford and Anthony Quarrell have recommitted for 2018-19, while star allrounder Glen Talarico is contracted for another season. “They’re staying, 100 per cent,” Tsitas said. As for senior stars Gareth Yelland, Chris Young and Tsitas, there are no plans to retire.

“None of the guys are thinking about leaving and we’re not looking at bringing a whole lot into the club,” Tsitas said.

“We’ve got a few players like Youngy, ‘G’ (Yelland) and myself who are all around the same age and we need to look at that.

“We’ve got some good young bowlers in the twos — we definitely have that — but it would be good to have one experienced medium pacer with ‘Fish’ (James Fisher.)

“But in terms of batting, we’ve got four or five guys who have played in first XI premierships playing in the twos this weekend.

“But we’ve just got to make sure our players get more consistency into their game and are continuing to improve. There’s not a lot there that we believe we need.”

Favourites to overcome the Lions on Saturday, Tsitas said it was a bitter pill to swallow.

“It wasn’t a good weekend. To play your worst game of the year in a final . . . it was a bad day,” he said.