Mernda Cricket Club believes it can be competitive in its first year back in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association’s top grade.
After last year’s dream season, including only two losses and a grand final win in the Money Shield, the Demons return to Barclay Shield competition a season after being relegated.
Having coached the side to premiership success last year, Jamie Davis remains in the job.
“The pre-season has been good to date with no injuries,” Davis said.
“We’ve still got the four senior sides this season and, for the first time, we have two veterans teams. A few of the players who retired in the past couple of years decided they want to play again.
“It quickly went from planning for one side to having two. There’s also been an influx of juniors.”
Star bowler Paul Baker (retired) is the only loss from last year’s senior premiership team.
Davis said the club had recruited a few players to add strength to the senior side, while some of its youngsters looked likely to step up.
He said the club had no intention of merely making up the numbers in the Barclay Shield. Mernda last won that trophy in 2008-09.
“I think we’re set up pretty well to be competitive and hopefully play finals,” he said.
“We’re pretty even across both batting and bowling.”
While Davis continues as coach, he has passed the captaincy to Jarrod Carlson, who is also assistant coach this season and has previously captained Northcote’s first XI in Premier Cricket.
There’s another boost for the club, which will be enjoying new facilities built in the off-season.
“The new facilities are pretty good and we can’t wait to get in there and use them,” Davis said.
“I think the new facilities will be a massive drawcard in getting people to the club.”
The Demons will play a couple of practice matches in the lead-up to their first game against Epping on October 1.
“It’s at our ground as well,” Davis said. “We can’t wait.”
