Teen star could be Valley’s title ace

BARWON Valley hopes the addition of emerging gun Mitch Crabbe can be the difference in it claiming a maiden SWGA Division 1 pennant title.

Crabbe, playing off +5, took part in his first game of the season in the recent 5½-1½ win over Clifton Springs, claiming his match in a 6&5 rout.

The teenage star (pictured) will be available for this weekend’s match against East Geelong and will lead Barwon Valley’s charge in the final on

May 23 at Barwon Heads. Barwon Valley captain Matt Kennedy said Crabbe, who played with Commonwealth during the metropolitan pennant season, had the ability to lift it to the title.

“He plays a lot of tournaments during the year — he’s off to South Australia and everywhere else with the Vic squad and all that sort of stuff,” Kennedy said.

“Playing No 1 and against blokes that are fairly good in the district is a massive advantage for us.”

Kennedy said Crabbe would “thrive” on the expectations of being the No 1 player.

“He plays up in Melbourne — that competition is twice as good as what we’ve got down here,” he said.

“There’s no pressure on his shoulders at all. He’ll be fine.

“He’s got all the confidence in the world.”

Barwon Valley is undefeated this season and will meet either East Geelong or seven-time champion Thirteenth Beach in the final.

Barwon Valley meets East Geelong on Sunday and Kennedy said the team “really wanted to make our mark”.

“Barwon Valley’s never won a Division 1 flag and they’ve made the final maybe twice in their history,” he said.

“For us to make the final is a great achievement and there are so many good things going on at Barwon Valley at the moment. The club’s growing so big at the moment, which is great, and for us we’re all excited to be playing in a final.”