Smaller is better
Skippers give thumbs up to competition change
THE Geelong Cricket Association made the right move in cutting the top flight from 12 teams to 10 this season.
That’s the view of the 10 GCA1 captains, who voted unanimously in favour of the off-season changes in a Geelong Advertiser survey.
The league is tipped to be highly competitive this season, with six different teams voted as potential premiership sides.
Two captains believe Grovedale will go back to back, while East Belmont received the most votes with three.
Geelong City also received two votes to win this season’s premiership, with North Geelong, South Barwon and St Joseph’s returning one selection each.
Joeys’ matchwinner Leigh Kentish was also a popular selection to go back to back in the Intersport De Grandi MVP award after smashing 828 runs at 121.71 last campaign.
Kentish received three votes with Richie Oliver (Geelong City) and Glen Talarico (Grovedale) the only other multiple selections.
However, Oliver was regarded as the hardest batsman to dismiss in the GCA.
And of the bowlers, East Belmont quick Dave Lineen received the most mentions as the scariest bowler for batesmen to face in GCA1.
Leopold, which finished 10th of 12 teams last season, is also regarded as the side likely to improve most this summer, having recruited strongly in the off-season.
Grovedale (8), East Belmont (4), North Geelong (4), Geelong City (2), St GCA1 PREVIEWS Joseph’s (1), South Barwon (1)
East Belmont (3), Grovedale (2), Geelong City (2), South Barwon (1), St Joseph’s (1), North Geelong (1) Leopold (3), East Belmont (2), Geelong City (2), Lara (2), South Barwon (1) Leigh Kentish, St Joseph’s (3), Richie Oliver, Geelong City (2), Glen Talarico, Grovedale (2), Justin Foss, St Joseph’s (1), Matt Laffey, South Barwon (1), Matt Lineker, East Belmont (1)
Dave Lineen, East Belmont (3), Luke Wilson, Lara (1), James Menzies, Leopold (1), Nick Lynch, South Barwon (1), Barry Tsitas, Grovedale (1), Cam Alford, North Geelong (1), Kent Agg, Geelong City (1), Adam Marsland, Geelong City (1) Richie Oliver, Geelong City (3), Glen Talarico, Grovedale (2), Leigh Kentish, St Joseph’s (1), Gareth Yelland, Grovedale (1), Justin Foss, St Joseph’s (1), Andrew Fergusson, North Geelong (1), Sam Hall, North Geelong (1) Yes (10)