Swans’ skipper may switch

By Marc McGowan
CASEY-SOUTH Melbourne may be forced to part ways with captain-coach Roger Sillence after reports he has been presented with a better offer by Elsternwick Cricket Club.
Elsternwick plays in the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association and the Englishman is believed to be entertaining the prospect of switching camps.
The change in Sillence’s enthusiasm towards returning for Casey-South Melbourne was evident in the two weeks prior to flying back to England to play County Cricket for Worcestershire.
He told News two weeks before leaving that an offer had been put on the table for him by the Swans and he was hoping to finalise a deal before leaving Australian shores.
Just a week later, Sillence’s answer to whether he was going to return to Casey-South Melbourne had changed dramatically.
He said he wanted to weigh up his options at home, but intimated he would definitely be coming back to Australia.
Sillence said if he was returning to Victorian Premier Cricket it would be with the Swans, which left the door open for him to play outside of the state’s elite district competition.
Then the rumours began to circle about Elsternwick making a very generous offer, which makes sense after Sillence’s last comments on the matter before leaving the country.
Elsternwick president David Long did not confirm his club had made an offer, but did admit it had been in contact with him.
“We have spoken to him. We’re looking at all sorts of options and he’s just one of them,” Long said.
“He knows a couple of people at the club.”
Casey-South Melbourne is interested in retaining his services, but will not budge on its offer.