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Preview of Adelaide 'A' Grade Lawrie Colliner - 3 October 2002
Adelaide The Buffalos have lost prolific opening batsman Luke Willams to Tasmania and Erin "the Bison" Bernhardt to Adelaide Turf Premier league out-fit Flinders University. With the addition of promising Jack Smith from Canberra, Adelaide has endeavored to replace Williams. Adelaide' bowling was thin last year and Shane Maraun will now toil with Tarkin Brown and Matthew Tucker. With match-winners and Redback squad players Jason Gillespie, Ben Johnson and Chris Davies away for most of the season on first-class duty the men from Glandore could be in for a long season with the ball. However, if Queensland mid-season recruit Lachlan Stevens continues to shine with his spinners anything could be possible.
Last season (4)
East Torrens The REDS this season are looking at a more consistent performance from all of its players. Senior players such as Graeme Yates, Cosi Lanzoni, Brett Lydeamore and Craig Bradbrook will look at shoring up batting performances allowing the many young players within the club to establish themselves. Players such as Stewart Smith, Ben Schlicker and Scott Sullivan are certainly some of the younger brigade to keep an eye on. The Bowling department will be effected slightly early in the season due to Chad Parrish taking work in Ceduna however the recruitment of Chris Delaney hopefully will fill this void. Both Andrew and Steven Crook are expected to keep improving with Steven having a fruitful season recently in England. Young batsman Jason McKay from the Northern Territory has also shown some promise in early season trials. Will miss start Redback opening bowler Paul Rofe dearly.
Last season (12)
Northern Districts The Jets will be hoping to improve on last years seventh placing with the addition of Mark Higgs who has transferred from NSW. With the Jets retaining all players over the off season, they will be looking to youngsters Chris Duval and Kevin Thomas to provide depth to a settled senior squad. The availability of Redback squad members Darren Lehmann, Graham Manou, Ryan Harris, Mark Cosgrove and Higgs should hold a large bearing as to whether the Jets are able to challenge for a top four finish.
Last season (7)
Young Player to watch: Chris Duval (RAMP) Southern District The Stingrays in their tenth A Grade season will be keen to taste finals cricket. With Dwayne Ross and Shane Deitz winning the competitions individual bowling and batting awards last season, the emphasis will be placed on the other players stepping up in support. The Stingrays bowling headed by Ross, Brett Bevan and Andrew Watherston was extremely competitive, batting however was carried by Deitz and skipper Jason Riley. The club has worked hard in the off season to target batting recruits and have been successful in gaining the services of Yorkshire opening batsman, Added to this the outstanding talent, obvious with the clubs junior ranks, needs to be managed and maximised to see some silverware captured by the club.
Last season (9)
Port Adelaide The Magpies are a club that continues to produce First Class Cricketers, even though they have not made the top four for a number of years. Matthew Weeks looks like he will be the next one to progress on to bigger and better things, after his last two seasons being riddled with injury. Hopefully he will stay sound. The club again has recruited heavily with one suggesting that if they had held onto players like Brad Young, Brett Swain and Mark Harrity that they might not be looking outside for talent. It is difficult for players to come from far and wide and gel together on Saturday afternoons. Rick Charlesworth, the former Hockeyroos Coach, suggests that you "ignore youth at your own peril." Port need to ensure that they rebuild by developing local young talent for long term success.
Last season (13)
Prospect After a disappointing 2001/2002 season, the Pirates will be looking to get them selves back into the finals action that saw them premiers the previous season. Prospect will be looking to get a fully fit and very dangerous attack firing in Michael "Stffy" Harden, Joel Southam, and Michael Carter. Added to this they will be requiring the bulk of the runs to be made by Captain Jeff Vaughan, last season coach in Martin Faull and the highly rated Callum Ferguson to show his full potential. The loss of Peter Richardson and Stuart Ellicott will hurt the Pirates but they have some great young players to look out for.
Last season (8)
Sturt Sturt will be looking to build on the good year that they had last year. With a young team they managed to make their way into the Grand Final and that experience should hold them in good stead. The club has a couple of new faces with Ben Smith moving across from the Eagles to bolster the batting and young Tim Cece from Murray Bridge will be trying to force his way into the seniors as a fast bowler to assist the very talented duo in Oliver Thomas and Shaun Tait. Another big year is expected from last years Bradman Medallist, Tim Haysman and batters Jason and Cameron Borgas who had solid years last year and will look to put pressure on the state selectors. Add to the mix skipper James Orchard and young up and coming spinners Matthew Burr and Cullen Bailey and James Pyke's young home-grown blues are looking good for season 2002-03.
Last season (2)
Tea Tree Gully After a disappointing end to last season's finals campaign, the Bull's are determined to have a good pre season and charge into the 2002/03 season. With only one departure from the club, Redbacks player and club stalwart Peter McIntyre retiring, the Bulls will be looking for big things from players like, Wes Thomas, Ben Cameron, Travis Borlace and Ben Pahl. Vince Lee returns to the club from some time off and will be hoping to recapture the form that saw him make 100 on debut for the Bulls some years ago. The absence of Peter McIntyre will give young off spinner Brad Pedler the chance to establish himself, while batsman like Adam Loader, Grant Harvey, Simon Stolcman and Adam Mossop will be looking cement their spot in a side that is looking to go one better than its Semi Final appearance last season.
Last season (4)
University of Adelaide The Blacks have lost former South Australian and Australian cricketer Paul Wilson to the Western Australian Warriors, Ian Wigg is now working in England and John Patton has moved to Melbourne and playing for St.Kilda CC. University has managed to replace Wilson and Wigg with Matthew King from Sturt. Nathan Adcock and Mike Smith will have Redback commitments, which will mean their experience of Simon Williamson, Adam Kimber and Nick Mosey will be crucial. These players combined with the continued development of Chris Slattery and Muhammad Sheikh and the addition of Matthew King should make University a very competitive team.
Last season (3)
West Torrens The Eagles after having a disappointing season in 2001/02 will be looking to improve on last season's position. Having lost the experience of Matthew Minagall, Darren Reeves and Peter Screnci to Woodville, Ben Smith to Sturt and Malcolm Howell now overseas, they will need to work hard as one unit to move up the ladder. Justin Creek from Kensington will take up the wicket-keeper's duties and Mark Cunningham from University will make valuable contributions with his medium pace and provide much needed support to opening bowler Trent Kelly who is expected to make further progress this season. Much of the club's strength lies with Redbacks representatives, club captain Ben Higgins, all rounder Brad Young and fast bowler Mark Harrity and when available for Grade matches will give the Eagles an impressive all round line up.
Last season (10)
Woodville The Peckers have worked hard in the off season to replace retired players Casey Tanner and Nick Wundke plus Matthew Nason and Matthew Love moving interstate. Darren Reeves transfer from West Torrens is a ready replacement for Casey and his former team-mates Matthew Minagall and Peter Screnci will provide depth in the bowling ranks. The gain of Joe Price, right handed batsman from Newcastle, is seen, as a necessary addition to the batting line up which will again be lead by Daniel Harris and Michael Miller. The return to full fitness of Michael Miller and Mick Lawton will give a much-needed support to Andrew Eime in the pace attack. Off spinner Michael Munn is expected to continue on his encouraging performance last season. A more consistent season is sought with a finals birth the obvious goal.
Last season (11)
Glenelg As Gough Whitlam said "It's time", time for the Seahorses to get some rewards for the hard work that has been done in the last few seasons. Making the finals is an important aim of the Glenelg Cricket Club this season, but equally important is to play competitive positive cricket at all times. The Clubs proud history is a real motivating force, players like the Chappell's, Mallett, Hilditch Haysman, Johnston and Gladigau have all gone before the players of today and been successful it is now the likes of Fitzgerald, Hook, Forster, Koch, Rowe and the Plant brothers who make the future club history. The club expects a big year on and off the field and anything less will be unacceptable. Players to watch this season will be the continuing form of Neil and Daniel Rowe Toby Koch and the exciting development and maturing of players like Ryan Bulger and Jim and Tom Plant. With the crop of exciting and talented young players coming through the other grades, the future appears bright at the Bay.
Last season (5)
Young Player to watch: Steven Brown (RAFM) Kensington The Browns have lost two of Grade Crickets Premier Cricketers with both Barry Steele and 1999/2000 Bradman Medallist John Lee hanging up the spikes – for now. Steele has relocated to Naracoorte whilst Lee is travelling overseas. Another huge loss is 3 time Premiership player Justin Creek to the Western Eagles, with the opportunity to keep wicket the big attraction. Former State U/19 quick Chris Delaney has also moved on to the Eastern Reds whilst Darren Dempsey, after a poor showing has taken his bat and ball and moved back to Victoria. They say when one door closes another opens and there are a number of French doors available. On the upside former Seahorse and Mildura boy Mark Cleary will front up for the reigning premiers along with former Bushranger Damien Fleming.
Last season (1)
© 2002 PL Colliver
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