When translating this to Haisman Shield particulars, more specifically Central Park-St Brendan’s, no-one fits the bill quite like new coach Tyler Larkin.
Son of club legend Rohan Larkin, a man who steered the Tigers through their astounding 10-premiership dynasty, the 26-year-old has returned to Deakin Reserve from Victorian Premier Cricket side Geelong ready to begin a legacy in the more traditional sense.
“I’ve got to lean on (Rohan) for a lot of support with the experience he has, but from those premiership years I reckon there are only three who’ve stuck around since,” Larkin said.
“There’s been a gap between then and it would be nice to start pushing on with that new generation of players and start forging our own history.”
Larkin has been busy assembling an A-list cast to help hoist the Tigers above their muted seventh place finish in the 2020-21 season.
Roping back in twin talents Aidan and Andrew Lloyd brings immense depth to Central Park’s bowling stocks, while ex-Tatura tweaker John Kealey knows how a trap a batsman or 10.
“It’s pretty big to get the Lloyds back,” Larkin said.
“They are two genuine A-grade recruits who will definitely fill a couple of spots for us.”
At the opposite end of the order, Northerners run machine Andrew Boyington has come across, as has Shepparton United stalwart and Haisman Shield great Dwain Vidler.
“We've got Boyo make his way over for the right reasons; he wanted to come and improve his cricket and that’s great for me as a coach,” Larkin said.
“It means he wants to learn and buy into the culture, so to have him come over and add another cog to our team is great.
“As for Dwain, he’s had a very good career at SYC and I think he left on good terms there.
“It’s great to have him at our club for his experience to have another good bloke to buy into our culture.”
As if the Central Park stocks weren’t already decadent enough, export Connor Hayes is touted to feature when he’s not on Victorian Premier Cricket duties with Greenvale Kangaroos.
However, boasting a list reading long and lavish is not enough for Larkin.
“The first thing I want us to improve at Central Park is the standard of our trainings,” Larkin said.
“COVID has an impact on it, but from all reports we haven’t seen the amount of people at training as we’d have liked.
“From previous years when we won the 10 premierships, training was of the utmost importance, so that’s something to look forward to there.”
Training aside, building up the camaraderie and culture off the oval is a prospect Larkin is relishing.
Hoping to wind back the clock to former joys had during the club's halcyon days, as well as replicating similar levels of success, weighed heavy in the Tigers leader's decision to return.
“I’m really excited to get going, I’m really looking forward to getting back into the competition,” he said.
“Hopefully when these restrictions lift, being able to get people back to the club after games, because that’s the environment we all like to be in.
“I can’t wait to get back amongst our club and, fingers crossed, win a premiership.”
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