New Coach Mitch Johnstone spoke recently with Luke D’anello from Leader Local Cricket to discuss what the upcoming season holds in store for the Clubbers.

YARRAVILLE CLUB USHERING IN NEW ERA UNDER COACH MITCH JOHNSTONE

Good luck to batsmen in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
While Yarraville Club has waved goodbye to three retiring champions since the end of last season, the Senior Division powerhouse has assembled a bowling attack which will make scoring difficult at best in 2020-21.

New captain-coach Mitch Johnstone has arrived after a stint in charge of Premier Cricket outfit Essendon to bolster last season’s runner-up.

Throw in former professional cricketers Trent Lawford and Will Sheridan, experienced pair Ash Sweet and James Damjanovski and up-and-coming paceman Luke Destito, and the Clubbers have no shortage of quality in their bowling ranks.

“You’ve got five guys there who have played a lot of Premier First XI cricket, if not higher,” Johnstone said.

“Luke Destito on the back of that is a really good young seamer as well.
“We have a strong attack, and they’re all a little bit different.
“Lawford whacks (the ball) in halfway and hits the bat hard, Sheridan can swing the ball, Sweet seams it around, James is a left-arm finger spinner and I’m an offie (off-spinner).

“From a bowling perspective, that’s really exciting.”

But Johnstone conceded there were “a few more question marks” around his side’s batting order.

Ex-skipper Andrew Cullen, Emmett Bronca and Adam Contessa have called time on their distinguished careers, while former coach Justin Baker departed after the 2018-19 campaign.

Johnstone said he would look to develop a “squad mentality” and aimed to have 14-15 players to pick from for the First XI.

Connor Poulton and Allister Powell are among the young players with enormous upside.

“We haven’t really replaced those (retired) guys, and they’re irreplaceable anyway,” Johnstone said.

“We’ve just tried to promote opportunity internally. There’s a bracket of kids who are 15 to 19 who have played bits and pieces roles in the ones or played a lot of seconds cricket, knowing the opportunities might be a little few and far between.

“Now that list has turned over a little, they’re champing at the bit to get stuck in and grab those opportunities.”

Johnstone said the club would take a wait-and-see approach to recruiting.

“I think we’ve got plenty to work with as it is and we wanted to keep some spots there for that growth from those younger kids,” he said.

“There’s also a group of guys in their mid-20s who haven’t had much of a look in as well.”

Last season’s Senior Division decider was called off after two days amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with St Albans later declared the winner after Yarraville Club was found to have illegally repaired the pitch in the grand final.

But the Clubbers have claimed a remarkable eight premierships in the past 12 seasons in the VTCA’s top flight and are going nowhere.

While they are undergoing a changing of the guard, expectations remain high.

“The pleasing thing was the focus on development and the club’s awareness of where it’s at with the turnover of past champions,” Johnstone said.

“We still expect to really push but also develop on the run.

“Little things like the training standards and emphasis on fielding, which can be forgotten about at local level, we’ll look to make those things a real focus.

“There’s certainly no premiership window or clock going, where we’re super stressed about the outcome.
“We finished second last year, so if we improve from there, then naturally enough you’re going to be right in the thick of it.”

Johnstone spent three seasons as coach and Second XI captain at Essendon after holding the top job at VSDCA outfits Werribee and Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows.

He said he was keen to continue playing in a strong competition, which made Yarraville Club the perfect fit.

“Balancing coaching at Premier level and playing was probably tricky thing, and with a young family,” Johnstone said.

“I think this, in terms of standard and just the quality of the club both on and off field and its success, is really alluring.

“For me, it’s the best of everything with the standard, working with guys who have played cricket at a higher level and also kids who are coming through. It just ticked a lot of boxes.

“Really excited about going one better than last year because I know the boys were pretty disappointed with how things panned out.”

Senior Division will expand to 10 teams in 2020-21, with Westmeadows and Aberfeldie earning promotion.