Rams ready to make big impact

WITH a bunch of new faces on board and some standout young talents, Meredith is ready to make a splash in GCA3 next summer.

One of two new sides in the competition alongside Teesdale, the Rams will head into the season with five recruits and three returning faces but it is the developing youth that has caught the eye of new captain-coach Eugene Stanciu.

Meredith returned to training on Saturday to kick off a one-month pre-season before the first ball is bowled in the season and Stanciu was impressed with the look of a trio of talented players.

“Zac Larkins, he is just 16 and a really talented bowler,” Stanciu said. “Will Young as well is enthusiastic, very coachable and a good young bowler. Alex Hart has all the basics of being a really good all-rounder. He has a lot of potential and upside.”

A former Murgheboluc player, Stanciu (pictured) has brought ex-Frogs Adam Trevean, Chesney Milne and Travis Sharp with him to his new club.

Wicketkeeper Jai Willoughby (North Geelong) will also play with Meredith, while brothers Chris and Beau Moreland and Luke Priddle (Wallington) have returned to club.

“We had five recruits there (on Saturday) so it was good to see them face-to-face and what they can do,” Stanciu said.

Stepping into the higher level, Stanciu said he would preach the simple stuff.

With the GCA set to play one-day matches until at least Christmas, the Rams will be in familiar territory.

“With our batting we just want controlled aggression,” Stanciu said.

“I know other clubs might look at us as hard wicket cricketers who might play across the line but we are just going to try and hit the bad balls to the boundary and play smart.

“Fielding is something that we will focus on and if we do all the little things well, then the results will take care of themselves.”