Pressure is on curators across the west to have grounds ready for an unprecedented pre-AFL grand final start to the cricket season.
Players in Premier Cricket and Sub-District will start their seasons on the new Friday public holiday to ensure cricket doesn’t lose a weekend of play because of the October AFL grand final.
Yarraville will head into the summer of cricket with greater expectations than any other time in the past decade.
The Eagles are coming off a finals appearance last campaign and looking to build from there, although the tough south-west group has been dubbed Sub-District’s ‘group of death’.
“We’re well aware it’s going to be a tough group,” Eagles captain Matthew Love told
Star Weekly. “We’re under no illusion that making the finals this season will just happen for us.
“It’s a good challenge. It’s always enjoyable coming up against the good sides and seeing where you’re at.”
Yarraville opens its season with a mouth- watering two-day clash with Werribee at Yarraville Oval, where David Wolfe will coach the Eagles for the first time against his former club.
The Eagles will take on a slightly newer look, with Alex Hewat (Footscray Edgewater) and Brad Jones (Carlton) departing for Premier Cricket and English import Harry Finch not returning.
But the Eagles are thrilled to unveil spinning all-rounder Nathan Allen, signed from Melton, and paceman Ross Veitch, from Werribee.
Williamstown will host Oakleigh in its season opener at the Williamstown Cricket Ground, while Altona will entertain new boys Hoppers Crossing.
In Premier Cricket, Footscray Edgewater will host Melbourne University in a one-day match at Merv Hughes Oval, starting at 10am.
