Tara Murray
Werribee will go in with an unchanged line up as it looks to go one better in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.
The Tigers made the east-west grand final last season against Williamstown, with the match not going ahead due to COVID-19 concerns.
The Seagulls were awarded the premiership after finishing higher on the ladder.
Again led by Tim O’Brien, the Tigers are hoping they have a side that will again be in the mix as they look to break through for a premiership in the north-west group this season.
O’Brien said they were hoping lockdown rules would change soon so they can start training and then get the season underway.
“We go in unchanged,” he said. “We really haven’t recruited anyone or lost any one.
“All the guys are back from last year and with it all being one-dayers it will be interesting.
“It had been seven years before last year that we had played in a grand final after playing finals most years.
“It was out of our hands. We are keen to get another opportunity.”
O’Brien said having the same side as last year will help with planning for training and playing when the season gets underway.
He said while they were allowed to train in groups of two they hadn’t started any official training.
They are hoping to get a practice match on November 14, with the season scheduled to kick off on November 21.
“With COVID planning and training, we know what group we have which is really helpful.”
While the Tigers have kept their list together, they’ve bolstered their coaching ranks.
Shane Arthur, who has been the batting coach in recent years, steps up to an assistant coaching role and will have a bit more hands on role.
O’Brien said the boys loved having him around.
Jeff Dean, who used to coach the side and has the club’s batting award named after him, returns to the club as a batting coach.
Dean is the father of players Matt and Shaun Dean, and Victorian player Travis Dean.
“He coached us when I first started here,” O’Brien said.
“He was keen to get back into it and we’re rapt to have him on board.”
Another former player Heath Pritchard has been named bowling coach and will spend time at the club around his football commitments.
The Tigers start their season against Williamstown.
