Berwick
Last season: First (runners-up after finals).
Ins: James Prendergast (Dandenong).
Outs: Will Carr (St Kilda), Simon Cornell (interstate), Rohan Nancarrow (retired), Steve Carr (break).
AFTER dominating the home and away season, the Bears were defeated by nine runs in the 2006-07 Turf One decider by Springvale South.
Ash Henry has taken over the captaincy reins from Will Carr after previously being in charge in 2003, with twos captain Rob Chilver as coach.
Prendergast will do his best to cover for Carr, while the usual suspects – Alecs Roberts and Gavan Wills – will headline the batting.
Henry refused to focus solely on the Bloods and sees threats from all clubs.
“(I’m looking forward to playing Springvale South) only as much as any other team because there are 11 games a year,” he said.
“We’ll be looking for a consistent year and I can’t wait – it should be a lot of fun.”
Narre Warren
Last season: Fifth.
Ins: Shane Simpson (Buckley Ridges), David Wheeler (Buckley Ridges).
Outs: Chris Pentland, Dean Williams.
NARRE Warren looks set to make a charge at the finals for the first time after recruiting two Buckley Ridges stars over winter.
Opening bowler Wheeler should offset the loss of Pentland, while Simpson is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Magpies to help their brittle batting line-up.
The club also hopes 15-year-old Matt Darvell can further strengthen Narre Warren in that area after making his Turf One debut late last season.
Wendell Perumal continues as captain-coach and has high hopes for his team.
“We’ve had a really big pre-season and the guys are pretty excited to get out there and play,” he said.
“We were only 0.1 (of a per cent) out of the top four last year, so our goal is definitely to make it this year.”
Cranbourne
Last season: Ninth.
Ins: Paul Ferrari (Frankston-Peninsula), Brett Harrop (Pakenham), Jason Hameeteman (Dandenong).
Outs: None.
CRANBOURNE is another club putting its hand up for a finals spot following an impressive recruiting drive.
The most important inclusion may be the aptly named Ferrari, who will share the new ball with veteran Matt Moore.
Hameeteman and Harrop are top-order batsmen, but the latter will be a late starter after injuring his back twice in the past few months.
Ross Woodall is captain-coach again and believes his players have the potential to be better.
“I think we can improve on where we were last year, and that’s after being a side that improved from the year before,” he said.
“If we can take another step or two this year, with so many young kids, we’ll be a pretty strong club for the next three or four years.”
Doveton
Last season: 10th.
Ins: Glen Lothian (Somerville), Nick Marshall (Somerville), Garrick Wiramanaden, Sekander Ali, Brett Polson (Heathcote).
Outs: Rob Turner.
DOVETON will be looking to shed its reputation as a footballers’ off-season outhouse after hiring opening bowler Glen Lothian as captain-coach.
Lothian has instilled a new-found professionalism at Robinson Reserve.
Former leader Brad Downe, all-rounder Ryan Hendy and Lothian’s star recruit Nick Marshall will be pivotal in the Doves’ fortunes.
“We’re looking to make finals for the first time in the top grade and who knows what might happen from there?” Lothian said.
“I’ve laid down the law and we have a whole new committee who are working very hard on turning things around at the club.”
@BT Sub Sport News:TURF TWO
Hallam Kalora Park
Last season: Second (runners-up).
Ins: Liam Simpson (England).
Outs: None.
AS Hallam Kalora Park celebrates its 100th year of existence, there could only be one thought in its mind – winning the Turf Two premiership and returning to the top flight.
English all-rounder Liam Simpson will further bolster the star-studded team, which boasts the most devastating batting line-up at this level.
Returning captain-coach Cory Booth will lead the charge, with Steve Chapman, Gary Davidson and John Hammond not far behind.
Booth is looking to young off-spinner Lee Brown and promising bladesman Lovejeet Randhawa – who has a broken leg and will miss at least the first three matches – to step up.
“With the team we’ve got, we should be able to get to the grand final and do a bit better job than we did last year,” Booth said.
“Everything is looking pretty positive at the moment, so hopefully when the big games come we can be a lot stronger than the other teams on the day.”
Fountain Gate
Last season: Third (semi-finalist).
Ins: Prince Singh (Frankston Peninsula), Brett Hume.
Outs: Brad Francis (Dandenong), David Cranfield-Thompson.
BRETT Hume’s addition will add extra bite to Fountain Gate’s already lethal bowling attack.
However, the loss of batting champion Brad Francis means the club will be forced to rely on its bowlers to remove sides cheaply to remain competitive.
Cameron Knight was chosen to replace Francis as captain-coach and has worked his players hard to improve their fitness.
Hume will open the bowling with Nick Scanlon while Scott Mather recovers from a knee injury he suffered playing football.
“We’ll be looking to capitalise on the work Brad has done over the years and, if we do the right things, good things will come our way,” Knight said.
“(Promotion to Turf One) is what everyone plays for … but we’ll invest in the kids and if we can’t do it this year it will happen in the next couple of years.”
HSD
Last season: Fourth (semi-finalist).
Ins: Doug Loudon (Merinda Park), James van Elewoud (Hampton Park).
Outs: None.
HSD is shaping as the biggest threat to Hallam Kalora Park after acquiring the services of new captain Doug Loudon and gun all-rounder James van Elewoud.
Andrew Stockdale has obtained the coaching duties and forecasts quality seasons from his son Paul, along with Michael Davies and rising stars Shehan Bandaranayake and Chadwick van Estrop.
“I’m looking at changing a few attitudes and I want all my players to stand up,” Stockdale said.
“(Making Turf One) has always been our goal and we’ve always been competitive in Turf Two since we’ve been there and we’ve certainly got the talent.”
Maranatha Methodist
Last season: Fifth.
Ins: Paul Goodchild (England), Chris Norminton (England).
Outs: Warren Dickson (retired), Andrew Cooper, Agnelo Dmello (St Mary’s).
MARANATHA Methodist is well and truly in rebuilding mode and may struggle to match last season’s finish.
The exits of stalwarts Warren Dickson and Andrew Cooper will leave a huge hole in the club’s batting and bowling.
Maranatha will desperately need Paul Goodchild to bring his best form, but even that may not be enough to prevent a drop down the ladder.
Peter Cutting is the new coach, while batting star Nathan Monk will be captain.
“We’ll basically be looking to play as a consistent team because in the past we’ve had trouble doing that,” Cutting said.
“Everyone always aims at the top, but whether we’re capable or not, I’m not sure, but we’ll certainly be aiming to and you never know what a group of young fellas in the team will do.”
Hampton Park
Finished: 10th.
Ins: Doug Mulholland (England).
Outs: James van Elewoud (HSD).
HAMPTON Park will be battling to avoid relegation again after losing last season’s lone shining light James van Elewoud.
But president Ron Thouliss believes English all-rounder Doug Mulholland is a class above van Elewoud, who may return to the club in the future.
Clinton Gilpin is captain again and will shoulder much of the load, while Thouliss hopes Stephen Boltong and Danny Cortese can improve.
“I just think we’ll generally have a reasonable season and I don’t see ourselves getting relegated,” Thouliss said.
“Hopefully we’ll make a few sides look up and take notice.”
