Tigers sign premiership coach
TORQUAY is better placed now to win a premiership after a fruitful recruiting spree, president Steve Young has declared.
The Tigers have added grunt to the side that lost the GCA2 grand final to Bell Park, luring a trio of stars to replace English pair Mike Jones and Tom Jefferson.
Fresh from claiming a Victorian Sub District Cricket Association premiership with Williamstown, star batsman Dale McDonald has crossed to Spring Creek Reserve.
McDonald takes over the captain-coach role from Ash Russell and joins paceman Peter Manser and former Newcomb batsman Luke Slater in boosting the side.
Manser took 30 wickets at 17.8 for Woodend in the Gisborne & District Cricket Association, while Slater heads back to the Tigers after three seasons at Newcomb & District, where he won a premiership.
The Tigers challenged for a flag without Jones, who missed the second half of the season when he lined-up for Scotland in the World Cup qualification tournament, while Jefferson starred with the ball in his absence.
The pair will be sorely missed, but Young is confident the club has covered all bases.
“We performed really well in the finals series, but sometimes you’ve got to lose one to know what it takes to win one,” Young said.
“We felt that we could’ve pulled it off, it was just circumstances that dictated where we ended up. We gave it a red-hot crack, but it just wasn’t meant to be.’’
McDonald moved to Torquay and landed on the club’s doorstep.
“He works out at Icon sports and we basically signed him up while we were looking at merchandise,” Young said.
“He was looking for a club because he was moving into Torquay and he knew a few guys who are playing at Torquay at the moment.”
McDonald made 613 runs at 47.15 in the north-west division and will add strength to the Tigers’ middle order.
“His stats are pretty impressive,” Young said.
“I mean, he’s getting on a bit, I think he’s just turned 39, but he’ll be that Chris Bambury type.
“It’s more about his coaching ... He prepares like no one else and that’s what we want at Torquay, we’re searching for that professional.”
Manser is “sharp” with the ball, giving Torquay flexibility.
“He played against Ash in a sub-district game and Ash rated him highly,” Young said.
“He played at Woodend last year and took 47 wickets.”
Slater returns after making 259 runs in a trying season as captain of the Dinos.