MT CLEAR is shaping as a much different line-up to the one that was a shock absentee from the Ballarat Cricket Association club firsts finals series last season.
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Mounties director of coaching Paull Jeffrey confirmed EJ Cleary Medal winner and star batsman Matt Goonan would not be playing this season as he takes time away from the game, while top-order bat Shaun Coffey and bowler Josh Tong were among the key players to leave the club ahead of the new campaign.
But in a boost, Jeffrey revealed gun all-rounder and EJ Cleary Medal winner Daniel Hopkinson would be back in the whites after failing to play a game during 2014-15.
He added that top-order batsmen Hayden Cartledge and Jarrod Burns have also committed to the year after having limited involvement last season, as has important spinner Steven Nicholson.
The Mounties were stunningly dumped from the finals race in 2014-15 when Brown Hill secured an outright victory in the last home and away round before going on to win the premiership.
Jeffrey said the current group was shaping as very similar to the one that tasted the ultimate success in 2013-14.
He said the focus early in this campaign was to win games before Christmas and believed there was “no reason why we can’t” clinch the flag this season.
“Most of us are quite experienced and have all played in a lot of premierships and had a lot of finals experience,” Jeffrey said.
Jeffrey believed the Bulls and Wendouree - with the addition of top batsman Tristan Dixon to the side - would be the clubs to beat.
“Those two teams will be up there again,” he said.
Mt Clear opens its season with a home two-day clash against East Ballarat, starting this Saturday.
Full BCA round one preview, page 37.