Tara Murray
Westmeadows’ 2022-23 Victorian Turf Cricket Association campaign has got off to a good start with the signing of Ryan Nankervis.
The wicketkeeper batsman, who spent time at Essendon in Victorian Premier Cricket, joins the Warriors from Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association club Plenty Valley.
Warriors coach Donovan Pell said that Nankervis fits the type of player and person they were looking to bring into the club.
He said they had looked at bringing in a keeper last season, but had decided to stick with club legend Glen Lambeth.
“I’ve played footy with him,” Pell said of Nankervis. “He fits the mould of what we are doing at the club.
“He’s the same age as me and he’s in the right age group. In the senior division, you need your keeper contributing with the bat most of the time and we think he can do that.
“The main thing is, he’s a good bloke. The culture is far bigger than any individual.”
Nankervis is one of three signings for the Warriors this season, with the other two still to be announced.
They’ve added an all-rounder who bowls seam and a batsman.
Pell said they had a real good core group of players they can build around for the future.
“There’s myself and Aaron Evans, who was our club champion last year,” he said.
“There’s Clayton Campbell, Jackson Smith and Jarryd Ellis. Jarryd has played a lot of twos in the past, but last season him and Jackson were the standouts.
“Rhys Gleisner is another in the right age.”
Former premiership winning captain-coach Tarek Moughanie won’t be returning, with Pell saying Moughanie left on good terms and would always be welcome at the club.
After finishing in eighth in his first season at the club, Pell said they were hoping to build on the base they set.
“Last year was a bit of an education,” he said. “It’s the biggest year of learning in a long time.
“It was like chess and checkers. We gelled across the 13 games.
“We’ve created a really good club culture all over the game.
“The club is heading in the right direction. The cream at the top would be the first XI rising up the ladder.”
