After news was confirmed of Pine Lodge’s imminent entry to the top division following successes across C-grade and B-grade in recent years, it began to look as if the competition would move to seven games a weekend in a busy summer league.
Just as quickly as that thought appeared, though, it has vanished with confirmation Tallygaroopna-based Northerners will step away from the shield this season.
The Jets started out the 2023-24 campaign in dismal fashion, suffering two stinging defeats and a gallant high-scoring loss to Shepparton United.
Stuart Turner’s side found more of a groove during the middle portion of the year heading into the festive break, eventually finishing 10th with a 4-8 record, three games out of finals contention.
President Paul Bollard said the call largely came about to help their crop of youth develop at a reasonable pace.
“We had a few young players and a few old without much in the middle range, so a bit of a generational gap,” Bollard said.
“We wanted to play the young kids and keep them confident instead of playing them at a level where they might get dominated or be out of their depth.
“You’ve got to look after them long-term and develop them into A-grade cricketers and that doesn’t just happen.
“The decision was made official a couple of weeks ago and there were no concerns (that it was close to the new season).”
With that in mind, though, while the club views this as a strategic move to focus on getting the best out of its current stocks, there is hope this isn’t forever.
At the very least, not as lengthy a stay as the last time in B-grade.
“Ideally, you’d only want to do it short-term, but it’s one of those things where you don’t know what’s around the corner,” Bollard said.
“Hopefully it’s only a short time; we did this 20 years ago and it took 10 years to get back in.
“If we can retain players and develop them into A-grade, you never know.
“We’re a great community club and we’re always welcome to players of all ages and levels.”
Mooroopna Cricket Club has installed a fresh face in charge of its A-grade side ahead of the new campaign.
English paceman Henry Barrow will take the reins in season 2024-25 at the Cattery, replacing previous boss Luke Zanchetta.
Barrow starred in portions of Mooroopna’s grand final run last time out, claiming 23 wickets at 20.43 and claiming three or more on three occasions, including four scalps in the decider.
Speaking of grand final teams, Kyabram recommitted a major name to its premiership defence this coming season, announcing Englishman Louis Sabbagh-Holt will don the Redbacks gear again.
Sabbagh-Holt showed out tremendously in his side’s title-winning charge, bringing home 28 wickets at 17.77 capped with a devastating spell of 7-77 in a thrashing of Central Park-St Brendan’s.
