Tara Murray
Footscray is hoping a well balanced side will again have them in the mix at the pointy end of the Victorian Premier Cricket season.
The Bulldogs core has returned this season, while they’ve looked to add a bit more bowling depth.
New Bulldogs coach Dale McDonald said things had been going really well so far.
“Training has been really positive and we have a few new recruits,” he said. “It’s looking really good at this time of the year.
“It’s been really good and I love coaching, so it doesn’t feel like it is a chore.”
McDonald said there had been only a couple of changes to their first XI squad for this season.
Siddhesh Dixit is playing cricket in New Zealand this season as he seeks higher honours, while Matthew Underwood has decided that he isn’t playing cricket this season.
McDonald said they had lost some from the lower grades as well, who had gone back to play local cricket.
The two inclusions for the Bulldogs this season have come from interstate.
“Aaron Harding played under-19s for New South Wales,” McDonald said. “He is a fast bowler.
“We’ve had a guy come over from Tassie for work opportunities, Umair Butt. He played first for Sandy Bay, he’s an opening bowler.
“We have some younger guys who have come through our academy as well.”
McDonald said there would be some growth from their young stars this season, which will hopefully hold them in good stead.
Mitchell Jamieson made his first XI debut last season and had a really strong under-17 campaign.
McDonald said the young batter had spent plenty of time working with Cricket Victoria coaches during the off season.
Max Birthisel, who was their leading wicket taker last season, is another they’re expecting to take another step.
McDonald is hoping that they might also have a breakout season from Dylan Brasher, who won the Ralph Wiese Medal in the recent Darwin cricket season.
“It’s really good for him and hopefully we’ll see bigger things from him,” he said.
“I was watching him and seeing how he goes. He got back yesterday and was back at training last night.
“Hopefully he’ll have a good season.”
McDonald said the group was excited to get back into playing some two-day cricket this season, after not playing any for the last two years.
He said he doesn’t think they have to do a lot different from last year to be in the mix again,
“It’s just taking opportunities in games,” he said. “Casey South Melbourne played off in a grand final and we had beaten them.
“I don’t think we’re too far away and a bit of extra depth with front line bowers has added to the group.
“I think we are a deep batting side and I think we are suited really well in two-day format.”
The side spent the weekend in Nathalia as they prepared for the season.
The Bulldogs kick off their season October 1 in a two-dayer against Frankston Peninsula.
