Tara Murray
Newport-Digman is hoping to use the lessons it learned last season to go one step further in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 2.
The Bulls made the grand final for a third straight season, but were no match for Sydenham-Hillside in the grand final series, losing 2-0.
Bulls president John McCarthy said early signs were that they would again be in the mix.
“We’ve got Jimmy Muirhead taking over as coach,” he said. “Adam Vincent who coached our under-17s last season will captain our twos this season.
“We have a lot of young kids coming through the club and we want to give the younger players the best opportunity.
“We’ve got five or six under-19s who are in the running for senior roles. We blooded a few last season who we’re expecting to play a role.”
Muirhead takes over as coach from Matthew Shiell who has coached the side the last nine seasons. Sheill remains captain of the first XI.
Muirhead, who represented Australia, joined the Bulls part way through last season and played a big role in the side making the grand final series.
It also helped him re-find his love of the game.
McCarthy said the return of two-day cricket would suit Murihead’s bowling, making him a more dangerous option with the opportunity to bowl more overs.
Having made the final game of the season the last three seasons, McCarthy knows they aren’t far off. He said they were hoping this season is when they would breakthrough.
He said there’s one area they would look to focus on this season to try and go that one step further.
“Last year we were beaten by a really good side,” he said. “It’ll be interesting to see how they go in the higher grade this season.
“They played the game style as it was needed. They were able to change when needed.
“They were able to build innings and partnerships.
“Our guys tried to chase runs that were not there. That is something Jimmy is big on, partnerships win games.”
McCarthy said the return to two-day cricket would be something different for many of their cricketers, with some not playing much two-day cricket at all.
He said it would benefit some players who struggled a little bit with only having one-dayers the last two seasons.
Off field, the club is set to get access to updated facilities in the coming days which is a big boost.
The Bulls like all other clubs will be hoping to finally start their season this Saturday. After round one was postponed, round two was then cancelled as more rain made many grounds unplayable.
The Bulls are set to face Kingsville in a two-dayer starting on Saturday. In other matches, St Andrews Pascoe Vale is scheduled to play West Newport, Greenvale Kangaroos are set to host Keilor Park and Footscray United is set to play the Altona Roosters.
