Spargo bullish about Sharks
NEW Burleigh player-coach Jimmy Spargo believes the Kookaburra Cup heavyweights will have “the best top five in the comp” if his off-season vision comes true.
After three successful seasons at Queens, Spargo was this week announced as Bullsharks player-coach for 2019-20 and 2020-21 following Rhys McCarthy’s decision to step aside.
The 33-year-old’s arrival at Crowe Howarth Oval will help fill the void created by the departure of captain TJ Miller, while he also hopes to bring younger brother and fellow batsman Michael with him from Queens.
McCarthy’s future has been the subject of much speculation since Burleigh’s semi final exit in March, but Spargo said he was confident the New Zealand native would be a part of an all-star Bullsharks next season.
“I’m really hoping he is. He’s another person I’ll be putting the hard word on but I’m quite confident he’ll be there,” Spargo, an Australian Country representative, said.
“If we get the troops that we want or the ones that we’re chasing – between Rhys, Mick, myself and Jasper (Schoenmaker) and there’s one more person I’ve got my eye on – I will put it out there and say we’ll have the best top five in the comp.
“If (Mick) plays, it will be with Burleigh. I’ll keep working on him. I think he’s looking for a bit of a fresh start too and something new.
“From the talks we’ve had, I think the majority of the playing group is going to be there (again next season), which is good. They obviously had a pretty good unit there last season so there’s plenty to work with.”
Burleigh led the competition for much of 2018-19 before a late-season fade let Alberton Ormeau snatch the minor premiership.
Spargo, a teacher at Varsity College, said he had no doubt the 2017-18 premiers would be in the mix for a second title next season.
“I definitely think the goal for the group, for our first grade side, is to be playing semi-final cricket. I’ve got to look at the squad and what seconds and thirds and fourths are like, but I think if we don’t make the (top) four it’d be disappointing,” he said. “I was due for a bit of a change. It’s a clean slate to work with and a bit of a fresh start. I’m excited to see what we can put together there as a club and a unit.”