By Nick Creely
Losing two of the great club cricketers that Victoria has to offer in the off-season is sure to cause inevitable short-term pain for Dandenong District Cricket Association powerhouse Cranbourne.
The shock defections of premiership skipper Steven Spoljaric (Springvale South) and Matt Chasemore (Berwick) has left a gaping hole of more than 1000 runs and 40 wickets for the 2017/18 season.
But under the guidance of the club’s new Turf 1 skipper Lucas Ligt, the club will turn to the future and rebuild the culture from the lowest to the highest grades, and is prepared to stay patient in the course.
“The young guys are really excited about the idea of the club being up to them – a lot of the kids were nervous when we heard the announcement (Spoljaric and Chasemore leaving) because they thought the club might be chasing more players again,” he said.
“Since they’ve learnt that the club is backing them in and rebuilding over a few years – similar to what Hallam’s done – there has been genuine excitement.
“Pre-season attendance has been up there with the best I’ve seen in four years – we’ve had three nets at Icon full and people haven’t been able to bowl because we’ve had too many people – there is a great feeling around the place.”
But he admits the loss of the gun duo, as well as keeper Jordan Cleland to Berwick, came as a bit of a shock.
“Losing Jordan (Cleland) as well wasn’t ideal but, honestly, that’s fine if he wants to go but Chasemore and Spoljaric are a bit different obviously,” he said.
And while Ligt, 25, expects there to be growing pains for his young side, the club has set goals for what it expects to achieve in the 2017/18 season in Turf 1.
“We don’t want to get relegated obviously, and we’ve picked about five sides that we feel we can beat if we play properly – the core group has already spoken about the goals this season, and we just want to play a really basic and smart brand of cricket,” he said.
“We haven’t got a guy like Spoljaric who swings it both ways anymore, so it’s just about being smart with the ball and batting out our overs.”
While there are plenty of youngsters across the grades looking to make their mark, Ligt identified a few players he expects to step up to the top level this season after years of development in the lower levels.
“Nivin Sathyajith is one who really excites us and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do – he’ll be given a real shot this year and is aware of that and working really hard at training,” he said.
“Jake Harrington had an awesome final game last year against Springy South, and that’s what we’ve seen he is capable of – he is also aware he has a real senior role this season and will need to bat more.
“Tim Fathers is a really good bowler but was unlucky we had some big names, and the same with Paddy Boyle as well – they will be our main bowling attack.”
And Ligt himself is ready to evolve into a leader he believes the club needs in its rebuild.
“I’m going to be a lot more approachable and let them have a lot more of a say, but it just means I will be a lot harsher at the same time – if you want to make your own plans, you have to follow through with it.”
Ligt also believes Spoljaric’s Springvale South and Chasemore’s Berwick are likely to be battling it out for this year’s Turf 1 premiership.
“I think everyone knows Springy South and Berwick will be in the grand final, unless one of them knocks the other out earlier,” he said.
