Sydenham-Hillside is hoping hard work will bear fruit this summer as it eyes a third consecutive finals campaign in Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division.
The Storm contested the grand final in 2023-24 before they exited the flag race in the semi-finals last season.
The club has enjoyed a successful period, having also claimed the Isaacs Howarth Shield premiership in 2022-23.
However, coach Anthony Alleyne is hopeful Sydenham-Hillside will earn the ultimate reward in the top flight if it continues to feature in March.
“I’ve got faith in the guys. They’re a hard-working group who turn up to training and give it their all,” Alleyne said.
“In the last two, three years we’ve been in finals, so if we can continue to work hard during the regular season, then hopefully we can get into those positions and take advantage of it.
“Everyone’s committed to going that step further this year.
“From a club point of view, we’re in the right position, so it’s a case of keep doing that work and the luck will change.
“For us, it’s just making sure we perform in both halves. It seems like we do it with the ball and not with the bat and other times we do it with the bat and not with the ball, so we just want to be as consistent as possible.”
Alleyne will again be crucial to Sydenham-Hillside’s prospects in 2025-26 after claiming the competition’s highest individual honour, the Roy Paxino Medal, last season.
He hammered 599 runs at 59.9 to go with 24 wickets at 18.13, underlining his status as an elite performer.
Alleyne has signed on as coach for the next three seasons after he was technical director, but he said little had changed. Dylan Knight has taken the reigns as first XI captain.
“It’s just a more official title, but I’m enjoying the role and helping the youngsters who are new to the club and also the ones who need extra support,” Alleyne said.
Cameron West (545 runs at 49.55) and Sanka Ramesh Abeyruwan (17 wickets) also impressed last season.
Stefon King has returned to the club, while Cameron Harding is another key in. Ishan Peiris, who hit 341 runs last season, has departed.
Alleyne expects last season’s grand finalists Deer Park and Yarraville Club to again figure strongly, but he said all clubs were capable of providing headaches.
But there is no shortage of quality in the competition, with Keilor securing the signing of ex-Sri Lanka Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne in the headline move of the off-season.
“They always recruit well,” Alleyne said of the senior division powerhouses.
“It seems like Altona North, just coming up from the division below, will be strong. Airport West will be strong as well. Then you have the regular teams like Keilor.
“You can’t really take anyone for granted. Yes, Deer Park and Yarraville are strong teams, but I think all the teams in this senior division can give you a run for your money. It’s more a case of treating everyone with respect and playing hard cricket on the day.”
