Bliss sees potential in new GCA format

THOMSON captain Adam Bliss is “excited” yet reserving judgment after the opening four rounds of the GCA restructure.

Under the new 10-8-8 turf model implemented by the GCA in April, Thomson was a shock victim, demoted to Div- ision 3, despite being just six runs shy of a grand final berth in GCA2 last summer.

“I always had a dream to take Thomson back to Division 1. But the new restructure is going to make it near-on impossible to make it to Division 1,” Bliss said in April.

Now, however, after the opening month of matches Bliss, whose side sits top of the GCA3 ladder, is slightly more forthcoming.

“I’m excited, it’s fresh to play new teams,” he said.

“Hopefully it makes it an even comp. St Albans was beaten quite convincingly in the first couple of rounds yet they beat us. It shows anyone can beat anyone, but I think time will tell with how successful the restructure will be.

“They’ve (the GCA) tried to make it more even, and in the other divisions as well it seems that way, so maybe it is working.”

Despite the relegation, Thomson’s list retention has held it in good stead.

Thomson only lost star batsman Louis Bentley to work commitments, while fellow stars such as Bliss and the ex- perienced Grant Dew stayed put at Godfrey St Oval.

Bliss admitted he struggled to remember the last time he played Corio prior to the Tigers’ convincing win last round, yet still compiled a huge 6/380 off 50 overs to breeze past the Devils.

This weekend the Tigers face the Guild-Saints for the first two-dayer of the season.