Above: Cardinia coach Cameron Knight had a chequered season with the Bulls, which included a fourweek suspension.IAN FERGUSON reviews The West Gippsland Cricket Association season just ended and looks at the clubs’ prospects in 200607.
ANOTHER WGCA year is over and again local fans enjoyed a tense and exciting grandfinal match as well as an excellent season.
The BeaconsfieldOfficer climax to the 200506 season was every bit as engrossing as the lastover nailbiters between Cardinia and Pakenham UpperToomuc (PUT) two seasons ago and it overshadowed the close premiership victories that Merinda Park and Tooradin both achieved in the recent past.
The association team also performed well at 2006 Melbourne Country Week, finishing as minor premiers in a higher section of the competition and only missing out by 18 runs in the Friday sectionthree final against Hamilton.
Selectors should strongly lobby our newest Lex Duff medallist Matthew Meehan by early next season, as West Gippsland needs players of his quality to put their hand up for selection if WGCA is progress further at this prestigious carnival.
At a club level, Beaconsfield deserves every praise possible for winning consecutive Agrade premierships and the good news gets even better for the Tigers’ den, because there’s every chance that the Beaconsfield success story will continue.
Three other senior teams were finalists in B, C and D grades and both the club’s under16 teams participated in the grand final. Such impressive depth will continue to serve this strongly administered club well, especially if its most promising youngsters are blooded into Agrade ranks early in season 200607.
Officer was admired by all for its brave showing this season.
By last October the Bullants appeared to be destined for Agrade extinction after it lost four quality senior players, but the club rallied strongly behind its young leaders Colin Tucker and Ben Tivendale and a grandfinal berth was its reward.
If the Bullants’ toporder batsmen had performed well, their first WGCA premiership flag might now be pinned to the clubhouse wall, as they certainly bowled and fielded like a winning grandfinal team.
Their leading batsmen performed disappointingly, however, for much of the season and more consistent run makers are required before they can hold aloft a WGCA premiership shield.
It is rumoured that handy allrounder Shane White will again be available next season and his presence will add necessary stability to this young team.
The talented Cardinia endured a topsyturvy season, being a topoftheladder team in October and November, but then having to fight for a finals place by the season’s end.
The Bulls’ senior herd was beset by leadership problems as the season progressed, which partly explains their erratic form. The absence of the injured John Grogan in a closely contested semifinal was also a body blow for their chances.
If the club committee makes wise leadership choices for 200607, the Bulls will again be among the premiership contenders, as they do possess the player depth to win another flag.
Tooradin swooped on a finals place in the final homeandaway game, but its brittle batting again failed the Seagulls when they were hovering around a semifinal victory.
However Tooradin performed well to reach the finals because it lost some quality senior players from previous years. Its depth of promising juniors is encouraging, but consistent run makers are needed in the Seagulls’ nest before they can hope to wing their way to another premiership.
Merinda Park will be glad that the 200506 season has come to an end.
The Cobras struck incredibly bad luck with player assaults, a death within the club’s ranks and the lastround loss of a finals spot to contend with and was still a foe feared by rival clubs.
Their new captaincoach Gary Davidson added vital depth to its batting resources, their fast bowling attack was consistently potent and their junior development was excellent.
Merinda Park is a club travelling on the right path and if some of its talented youngsters make an impact in senior ranks next season, the Cobras will press strongly again for a finals berth.
The remainder of the Agrade teams had their moments, but overall a significant gap existed between them and the top five sides.
Devon Meadows displayed impressive runmaking prowess after a sluggish start, but lacked firepower in its attack.
Catani was almost a carbon copy of the Panthers, but the Blues had the misfortune to lose accomplished bowlers like Mick Torney, Lionel Sexton and Brendan Evans, which badly exposed it against the stronger clubs.
Pakenham was inconsistent and needs to recruit well from its large feeder community, while Emerald has promising young players who will gradually provide more support for its accomplished captain, Quentin Lucas.
Clyde’s batting strength disguised its lack of bowling depth early in the season, but the Cougars will need to gain accomplished bowlers to keep them in Agrade ranks.
Premiers Kooweerup rejoin the Agrade competition after two seasons of purgatory in the Bgrade competition.
The Demons are a promising allround team, so they have every chance of avoiding a quick exit back to minor grades and could become a formidable force once again in Agrade ranks.
