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Business time in Men’s Premier Cricket

February 17, 2016
Category: Premier Cricket,
Business time in Men’s Premier Cricket

It promises to be an exciting finish to the Victorian Premier competition this season, with a number of teams still in contention for a spot in the finals.

With the top three teams – Fitzroy Doncaster, Melbourne and the Monash Tigers – all but settled at the top, the bottom half of the top eight is still far from finalised, with seven teams sitting between 38 and 49 points each.

Here we will take a look at each team’s run home, their important players, what they need to do to make the finals and who from their side could be in contention for the 2015-16 Ryder Medal.

 1.     Fitzroy Doncaster – 13 wins, 2 losses, 64 points

The Run Home:

Dandenong, Frankston Peninsula

To Play Finals:

The Lions have got one hand on the minor premiership, having been the dominant side of the competition this season losing just two games. Their bowling is their major strength, conceding the fewest runs of any side while taking the most wickets. Two wins from their last two games against Dandenong and Frankston Peninsula would seal a home final and cap what has been a highly successful home and away season.

Key Players:

Peter Dickson has been the Lions’ best batsman thus far, having scored 414 runs at an average of 29.57. Andrew Perrin and Trent Lawford have been the mainstays of the Fitzroy Doncaster bowling attack this season, taking 33 and 37 wickets respectively.

Ryder Medal Contender:

Trent Lawford has been in great form with both bat and ball for the Lions in his 15 appearances – he has made 290 runs at a whirlwind strike rate of 175.8 but more importantly has claimed 37 scalps at an average of 17.03. His all-round abilities will no doubt ensure he attracts the umpire’s eye and votes. 

 2.     Melbourne – 12 wins, 3 losses, 59 points

The Run Home:

Footscray Edgewater, Northcote

To Play Finals:

Melbourne are safely inside the top eight, but would want to win their last two games to ensure they remain in the top four and secure a home final. Playing two finals contenders on their run into the finals however will not make securing those two victories an easy task.

Key Players:

Andrew Kent has been in great touch for Melbourne this season with 521 runs to his name from 16 innings. Matthew Brown, Seb Gotch and Michael Hill complete a formidable top order, with each having scored more than 380 runs each for the season to date. Brenton McDonald has been the main wicket-taker in the Melbourne line-up, collecting 31 wickets at an average of 22.55.

Ryder Medal Contender:

It’s hard to go past Kent as a genuine Ryder Medal contender. He began the season with four half-centuries in six matches which will ensure that he attracts votes early on.

 

3.     Monash Tigers – 9 wins (2 outright), 1 draw, 5 losses, 54 points

The Run Home:

St Kilda, Footscray Edgewater

To Play Finals:

The Tigers’ form has been indifferent of late and they need to correct that quickly if they are to hold off the teams below them. They face a big run-chase against St Kilda this week before a huge game against Footscray Edgewater the week after which could decide where both teams will finish.

Key Players:

Daniel Sartori has had a huge year with the bat for Monash, having hit 569 runs thus far with two centuries to his name and an average of 35.56. Sam Kerber and Sean Terry have also had fruitful batting seasons with over 300 runs each. Allan Wise has been the go-to bowler for the Tigers with 35 wickets in 15 matches, including two five-wicket hauls.

Ryder Medal Contender:

Wise and Sartori would be right in contention after outstanding respective seasons for Monash.

 

4.     Camberwell Magpies – 11 wins, 4 losses, 49 points

The Run Home:

Kingston Hawthorn, Prahran

To Play Finals:

The Magpies have been in red-hot form recently, having won their last five games to charge into fourth spot. A win against Kingston Hawthorn this week would essentially seal their place within the top eight, but a win against Prahran the week after would ensure that they earn a home final.

Key Players:

Simon Hill has been the dominant batsman of the competition this season, amassing 729 runs thus far including two centuries and three half-centuries. The Magpies batting stocks run deep, with a further eight batsman having registered more than 200 runs for the season. William Walker has claimed 32 scalps at the bowling crease, including two five-wicket hauls.

Ryder Medal Contender:

Hill would be amongst the favourites for this year’s Ryder Medal. The only batsman to pass the 700-run barrier so far this season.

 

5.     Prahran – 10 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses, 47 points

The Run Home:

Carlton, Camberwell

To Play Finals:

Prahran have one of the toughest runs home of any team inside the top eight. The True Blues were in massive trouble against Carlton last week but fought back to a stage where the result could go either way this week. Could find their way into a home final if they win their last two and other results go their way, but two losses would put their hopes of playing finals in serious trouble.

Key Players:

Jake Hancock has been a revelation in his first season at Prahran, with 528 runs from 16 games at an average of 35. Adam Bull has also been in good touch with 451 runs in 14 games, averaging 32.21. These two opening batsman are crucial to Prahran’s chances of going deep into finals.

Ryder Medal Contender:

Hancock has put his name up in lights this season, which has seen him spend some time with the Victorian Toyota Futures League team. Matt Wilcox has also been impressive with 29 wickets at a tidy average of 15.79.

 

6.     Footscray Edgewater – 8 wins (1 outright), 7 losses, 44 points

The Run Home:

Melbourne, Monash Tigers

To Play Finals:

Footscray Edgewater has the toughest run home of any side in finals contention, having to play Melbourne and then the Monash Tigers. The Bulldogs are in a similar situation to Prahran, whereby if they win their last two games they cement themselves in the top eight, but two losses could potentially see them at risk of dropping out entirely.

Key Players:

Dean Russ looms as the Bulldogs’ key batsman, having made 522 runs in the 2015-16 season so far to sit tenth on the overall run scorer’s table. Jeremy Hart has been unstoppable with the ball, claiming 40 wickets in 16 games, including two five-wicket hauls and a best of 6-82.

Ryder Medal Contender:

Hart has been the best performed spin bowler in the Premier competition this season, and that alone may be enough to see his name high up in the vote-getters. He has claimed three or more wickets on six occasions.

 

7.     Ringwood – 9 wins, 6 losses, 44 points

The Run Home:

Northcote, Essendon

To Play Finals:

The reigning premiers have the chance to do a couple other teams a favour, if they can win their last two games against fellow-finals contenders Northcote and Essendon. The Rams have set Northcote a big total to chase this week and teams such as Carlton and Footscray Edgewater will be hoping that they can defend it. Two wins would guarantee a finals place; two losses could see them pushed out completely.

Key Players:

David King has been imperious with bat in hand for the Rams with 647 runs this season. Captain Tom Stray and reigning Ryder Medallist Ian Holland have also had good seasons, and their contributions in the final two rounds could prove vital.

Ryder Medal Contender:

Due to his commitments with the Bushrangers this season, it looks like Holland will be passing the Ryder Medal onto someone else – that person could well be his teammate David King, who has run up six half-centuries this season.

8.     Northcote – 9 wins, 6 losses, 43 points

The Run Home:

Ringwood, Melbourne

To Play Finals:

The Dragons face the very real possibility of losing their place in the top eight this week if they can’t get over the top of reigning premiers Ringwood, with both Carlton and Essendon nipping at their heels. It won’t get any easier in Northcote’s final game against Melbourne, so a win this week against the Rams is crucial to the make-up of the top eight.

Key Players:

Steven Taylor has been a key cog in the Dragons’ batting line up this season, scoring 512 runs so far this season with a top score of 114* against Footscray Edgewater. Solomon Mire is as destructive a batsman as any going around in Premier cricket, and his form will also be important over the last two home and away rounds.

Ryder Medal Contender:

Taylor has been undoubtedly Northcote’s best player this season, not only scoring over 500 runs, but also claiming 22 wickets which will ensure that he attracts votes for his all-round ability.

 

9.     Carlton – 8 wins, 7 losses, 40 points

The Run Home:

Prahran, Casey-South Melbourne

To Play Finals:

The draw has opened right up for the Blues to snatch a place within the top eight, currently in a position to win against Prahran and then play 16th-placed Casey-South Melbourne the week after. If they win both games then they give themselves every chance to jump into the top eight. Their batting could cause headaches for the opposition, with Carlton having recorded the second-highest total runs of any team this season.

Key Players:

Tom Smyth is a key component of Carlton’s line up, having scored 634 runs this season with two centuries. Captain Lachlan McKenna, Mark Phelan and Harrison Smyth have all scored over 400 runs also, highlighting the Blues’ batting depth.

Ryder Medal Contender:

Tom Smyth is the obvious candidate, with not only 634 runs, but also 19 wickets to his name, including a best of 5-11 against Dandenong.

 

10.  Essendon – 8 wins, 7 losses, 38 points

The Run Home:

Casey-South Melbourne, Ringwood

To Play Finals:

Essendon must win their last two games if they are any chance to play finals this season. The match against Casey-South Melbourne could go either way this week, and the Rams loom large the week after. The Bombers need all of their stars to stand up and cross their fingers that a myriad of other results to fall their way.

Key Players:

Matt Doric has been unstoppable with the ball for Essendon this season, taking a remarkable 46 wickets in 16 games with three five-wicket hauls and an average of 15.17. Ben MacRae and Aaron Shellie have led Essendon’s batting, with 556 and 512 runs respectively.

Ryder Medal Contender:

Matt Doric has been the best bowler of the Premier competition to date, having claimed three wickets or more on ten different occasions. This is bound to have attracted the attention of the umpires.

 

Teams out of finals contention

 

Dandenong – 7 wins, 8 losses, 33 points

It’s been an up and down season for Dandenong, who haven’t been able to string consistent wins together all that often. Currently sit five points behind Essendon which effectively shuts them out of finals action for this year.

Key Players:

Tom Donnell and Brett Forsyth have led the Panthers’ batting efforts, with 585 and 520 runs respectively. Justin Butterfield has been the best performed bowler 34 wickets in 16 games at a very meagre average of just 16.53.

Ryder Medal Contender:

Donnell and Forsyth have been some of Dandenong’s best performed players, which could see them attract votes in the games where Dandenong have gone well.

 

Kingston Hawthorn – 7 wins, 8 losses, 33 points

The first season of the newly formed Kingston Hawthorn outfit has been a brave one, but the Hawks have found some form over the last five weeks, winning four out of five, to take some confidence away from their first season.

Key Players:

Jack Taylor (447 runs and 29 wickets) and James Miller (410 runs and 34 wickets) have been the stars for for the Hawks this season, carrying a lot of Kingston Hawthorn’s bowling and batting load.

Ryder Medal Contender:

Both Taylor and Miller poll well in the Ryder Medal, but it will be hard for them to attract votes in games that the Hawks have lost.

 

Geelong – 4 wins (1 outright), 11 losses, 26 points

Geelong would probably consider themselves a little unlucky to have as many losses to their name, having played a fairly high standard of cricket this season. Sitting 12 points behind Essendon however definitely rules them out of finals contention.

Key Players:

Eamonn Vines (382 runs) and Hayden Butterworth (362 runs and 18 wickets) have been the leading lights for Geelong this season.

Ryder Medal Contender:

Expect Butterworth to be up there as Geelong’s leading Ryder Medal vote getter – but with 11 losses from 15 games it’s hard to see many others polling strongly.

 

Melbourne University – 5 wins, 9 losses (1 outright), 23 points

Melbourne Uni were on the end of some big losses this season, which saw them drop down the ladder. Five wins is certainly something to build on, but working on their consistency will be the key to improvement.

Key Players:

Ben Fletcher has amassed 578 runs this season including a huge 142* against Casey-South Melbourne. Tom Batters and Steven Reid have shouldered a lot of the Students’ bowling efforts, taking 22 and 21 wickets respectively.

Ryder Medal Contender:

In a side that struggled for wins, anyone who scores 500 runs or more for the season has performed well. So Ben Fletcher looms as the obvious candidate to poll well out of Melbourne University.

 

St Kilda – 5 wins, 10 losses, 22 points

The Saints were also outplayed by the teams about them for most of the year, relegating them to 15th on the Premier ladder with just five wins thus far.

Key Players:

Graeme Rummans has been valiant for St Kilda with bat in hand this season, with 493 runs from 14 matches at a handy average of 44.82. Michael Beer has shown his class throughout the season, the Melbourne Stars spinner claiming 24 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 18.33.

Ryder Medal Contender:

They may not challenge for the medal, but both Rummans and Beer should be high vote-getters out of St Kilda’s playing group.

 

Casey-South Melbourne – 4 wins, 11 losses (1 outright), 20 points

It’s been a tough year for Casey-South Melbourne, with just four wins under their belt and registering the least total runs of any team for the season, they have lots to work on ahead of the 2016/17 season.

Key Players:

James Seymour has been terrific this year, hitting 610 runs at 35 and a high score of 123. Kasun Suriaratchie has also been impressive with 473 runs at an average of 36.38 while Nathan Lambden has led the bowling attack with 28 wickets, including a performance of 7-65 against the Monash Tigers.

Ryder Medal Contender:

Seymour and Lambden are the obvious choices, with no other Casey-South Melbourne players demanding votes with strong performances.

 

Frankston Peninsula – 4 wins, 11 losses (2 outright), 16 points

Frankston were battered this year, suffering two outright losses which confined them to the lower echelon of the Premier cricket ladder. Their bowling has struggled to make an impact, taking the lowest amount of wickets of any team.

Key Players:

Paul Borrington has hit 421 runs for Frankston this season, but has been short on helpers. Youngster Ben Ashkenazi will only improve in coming seasons, having led the Frankston Peninsula bowling attack this season with 16 wickets.

Ryder Medal Contender:

Very difficult to see many Frankston players gathering votes given how big some of their losses were, but expect Borrington and Ashkenazi to poll in a few games, as well as Nicholas Boland and Jack Benbow.

 

Greenvale Kangaroos – 1 win, 14 losses, 6 points

Greenvale have been on the wrong side of the ledger many a time this season, however have not sustained an outright defeat as a few other teams have. Surprisingly have scored more runs in total than the top of the ladder Fitzroy Doncaster.

Key Players:

Harry Dearden (455 runs) and Adam Amin (416 runs) have been Greenvale’s most prominent scorers, while Trent Waring and Aaron Smillie have been the best Kangaroo bowlers with 18 wickets apiece.

Ryder Medal Contender:

Don’t expect to see too many votes for Greenvale players in the Ryder Medal. They just took too many heavy defeats for their players to poll well.

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