Tara Murray
Westmeadows has hit the road running ahead of the next cricket season, signing Victoria Premier Cricket star Donovan Pell as captain-coach.
Coming off their first Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division tilt, the Warriors have looked to strengthen the side with the batting star the first name to come on board.
Warriors president Paul Lloyd said the signing of Pell, who had been playing at Carlton, had created a lot of buzz around the group.
“It’s good news for us,” he said. “He is in the right demographic.
“He is in the right age group and from the local area and everyone knows him.
“Carlton is a terrific club and he’ll bring some of that culture with him, which is good for us.”
Lloyd admits the appointment of Pell had been 12 months in the making.
He said that Pell wanted to crack 100 games in premier cricket and have one last tilt at a flag before moving on.
“We got in touch as the [this] season came to an end,” he said.
“We mapped some things out and what he wants aligns with what the club wants. It’s a perfect match.
“It’s a new start for us almost.”
Tarek Moughanie, who has been captain-coach for the past four seasons, will remain at the club in a playing capacity.
Lloyd said that was massive for the club, with Moughanie one of the best players to watch when he was going with the bat.
“He took us to senior division,” Lloyd said.
“In four years he guided us to two flags and two T20 premierships that people often forget about.
“You can’t ask for much better. We have massive respect for him and we think he’ll be really helpful for Donovan to transfer over.”
While Moughanie is staying at the Warriors, they will lose a couple of premiership stars.
Danny Law is headed to Tullamarine, which last week announced that he was its new captain-coach.
Lloyd said Law, who had previously coached the Warriors men’s and women’s sides, leaves the club on good terms.
“Good luck to him. He had the itch to coach again and he’s a good fit for them [Tullamarine]. His wife, who plays in the women’s team, will still be around the club.
“He departed on good terms.”
Dean Pitts has retired, but could still feature in the local grades.
Lloyd said they would look to announce some new signings in the coming weeks.
After finishing sixth in their first season in senior division, Lloyd said the Warriors were well placed for the future.
“We lost a lot of close games this season,” he said. “I remember the first couple of games, and thought we weren’t outclassed.
“It was small lapses in games that cost us. It was a good experience for the club.”
