Tara Murray
Melton has added some more experience as it hopes to turn some close losses into victories in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west.
After not winning a game in the 2021-22 season, the Lions fell just short of a finals berth last season.
Coach Mitch Stephens said they were hoping to build on what they did last season.
“I’m looking forward to it and hoping it will bring better results than last year,” he said.
“We’ve lost a few players from last year but we’ve been able to bring in some like for like players, it’s a big bonus.”
Stephens said it had been really pleasing that they had been able to attract some talent to the club, after having lost a number of players the last few years.
He said the work they were doing in building the culture at the club off field had been paying off.
“The on field performance happens with that as well,” he said.
“We want to be a destination club over the next few years.”
Stephens said it was a couple of experienced recruits that they were really looking forward to,
Rhys Berry joins the club from Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s Diggers Rest Bulla, while Brenton Cook joins the Lions from Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division side, St Albans.
“We’re pretty excited,” he said. “Rhys Berry is new to the club and is a loopy bowler and will be vital for us.
“There’s the opportunity for Brenton Cook to go hard early in the order. We’ll see what these boys can bring from their old clubs and competitions.”
With both having had leadership roles at their old clubs, Stephens said the leadership and experience will prove vital on the field, especially in close matches.
“We’ve got a bit more age depth on the list this year,” he said. “We’ve been very young the last few years.
“To add some guys who are in their late 20s and 30s, it’s a bonus for us in close games.”
While the Lions have added some more depth to the squad, Stephens said most of their improvement will come from within.
He said they were keen to see what the younger guys could do with another season under their belt.
“The guys are the club have been able to get the opportunity to play and train with the first and second XI [in the pre-season] and it’s exciting.
“They want to get that experience and go to the next level.”
Stephens said Alex Kerr, who was their third leading run scorer last season was one he expected to go to the next level, while Joel Mitchener and Joshua Luca were a couple of others he highlighted.
After last season just wanting to get some wins on the board, Stephens said they weren’t setting the bar too high this season.
“We don’t want to go to outrageous setting high standard ,” he said;
“We’ve got a new group again and we want to tick off the bases.
“Performance will come as we play more and more cricket together.”
The Lions start their season in a two-dayer starting on October 7 against Brunswick.
