Inching closer: Kyabram Fire Brigade's tilt at an A grade three-peat will kick off on November 13.
Photo by
Cath Grey
It has lost some stars but reigning premier Kyabram Fire Brigade could still be the measuring stick in Goulburn Murray Cricket, which commences its season this Saturday.
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The Flames meet Echuca at Kyabram’s Northern Oval in a rematch of last year’s premiership showdown, which they won comprehensively.
They have lost four key players from that clash — opening batsmen Tyler Jones and Jess Barker, Bailey Goodwin and Ryan Thomson.
But with the return of the club’s greatest run maker and multi-premiership skipper Danny Kent, refreshed after taking last season off, optimism is still high the Flames will be hard to beat again.
Back at it: Daniel Kent.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
They have also picked up promising young quick bowler Tristan Watson from Tongala, which is not fielding an A grade side this season.
Key cog: Jayden Rosin.
Photo by
Cath Grey
The Brigade will be looking to its master batsmen Brenton Campbell and Daniel Kent with support from Jayden Rosin, Robbie Salter, Scott Morris, Jake Gascoyne plus talented youngsters in Anthony Depasquale and Bohden Learmonth to produce winning scores, although they may be a little thin in bowling stocks.
Lining up a big season: Brenton Campbell. Picture: Bruce Povey
Photo by
Bruce Povey
Echuca should be a force again, so it will be a good first-up challenge for the Flames.
The ‘Great Survivors’, Cooma, will have a young side under the captaincy of club stalwart and star all-rounder Michael Hill.
Star performer: Cooma's Michael Hill. Photo: Bruce Povey.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
It has suffered a massive blow with the departure of the stalwart Barrett brothers, Liam and Drew, and their keeper-batsman cousin Steve Barrett.
But Mitch Barrett is remaining and along with captain Hill will be the only battle-hardened players in the young side.
The Thorne brothers are also gone, so it will be looking for its talented younger players in Sam Langley, Ethan Palma-Ludeman, Liam and Mason Scopelitti and Cooper Fawcett to step up.
In Saturday’s opening clash Cooma faces Echuca South, which will also be looking to build on the improvement it made last year.
All eyes will be on newcomers Nondies-Cohuna and Leitchville Gunbower in the opening round.
They meet at Cohuna in what will be a highly scrutinised clash.
Both clubs believe they can be competitive, and the word is the Cohuna side in particular will be a test for the competition’s best sides.
In the remaining game in the opening round, Bamawn Lockington United hosts perennial finalists Rochester.
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