Tara Murray
Melton’s hopes to turnaround its fortunes on field in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association has received not one, but two big boosts.
The Lions, who were winless in 2021-22 and had just two wins in 2020-21, have added two key pieces to the puzzle for next season.
Former captain Ben MacRae has returned to the club after not playing the last two years due to family duties.
Mitch Stephens returns to the club having spent the last 10 years playing premier cricket at Footscray and Essendon. He played second XI cricket at both clubs.
Lions president Anthony Gale said they were excited to have secured experienced players.
“Ben back into the team is massive for us,” Gale said. “We have a pretty young side and to bring in someone with a whole lot of experience is priceless. It’s terrific.
“Mitch is a good signing as well. He is keen on the coaching side of things as well.”
Stephens, who captained the club’s Craig Shield side in 2013, has plenty of coaching experience.
He has been an assistant coach for the North West Wizards in the Youth Premier League and head coach of Essendon’s Dowling Shield side.
Stephens will head up the Melton’s Lions Academy with Joel Mitchener and will also help with coaching on the senior side of things too.
Gale said they were hoping to possibly add a couple more players as well to strength the side even more.
“With only 11 players a side, you add in a couple of players and it changes the dynamic,” he said.
“Hopefully we will get one of two other experienced players who are established from around the area in either our first XI or second XI.
“We would love to have 13 to 14 to choose from each week. We have some deep talent in our juniors.”
In a bonus for the Lions, their next generation of players all seem to be sticking around for another season.
Gale said most would likely try their luck at premier cricket, but probably not for a couple more years.
The young group is led by Jason Hibbert, who won the club champion award last season, and Conrad Farrugia who has come through their system.
Gale said after the tough few years they’ve had on field, it’s encouraging to see that players are wanting to come back to the club.
He said it speaks highly of what they’re doing off field.
Gale said they were hoping to have their coaching set up finalised in the next few weeks.
Star bowler Brad Jones has coached the side the last couple of years.
“Brad and Joel will be involved with someone else,” he said. “We’d like someone in a director of coaching or senior coaching role.
“An extra experienced coach would be good. Hopefully we can sort that out in the next fortnight.
“We’ve got some great plans and hopefully we can attract some good coaches and players. We’ll hopefully start next season on a high.”
