The Newtown Tigers first-grade team has strengthened its batting line-up in the off-season and are hoping to rip the South Dubbo Hornets’ bowlers to shreds during the season opener at Victoria Park on Saturday.
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Newtown Tigers president Don Skinner and first-grade captain Mat Skinner said the team is looking to start the season on a positive note.
“We’ve looked to improve from last year and get a bit more consistent with the bat, “ Captain Mat Skinner said.
“We were very hot and cold with the bat last year.
“We have added a few more batsmen to our team and that is something we will be working on.
“Each batsman will have a role to play this season in our batting line up.”
Club president Don Skinner said the club would seek to promote youth this season.
“We have some younger players that should get an opportunity in first grade this season,” he said.
“We look to play in the finals every year, that’s our aim as it should be for all clubs to aim to get all three grades in finals and the young players are a big part of that.”
Mat Skinner said the there are some exciting prospects amongst the clubs younger brigade.
“Jessie Spang should play a full year of first-grade this year, he played mostly in the two’s last year but he has gotten a bit fitter in off season and we hope to get a bit more from him this summer,” he said.
“Ben Patterson had a good off season, he made the Indigenous Australian team and was one of the best all-rounders in the competition last season, and new bloke Trent Smith has played in Sydney and it will be interesting to see how he goes, he’s looked good in the nets and in a couple of trial games.”
The president also said to watch out for Mitch Lincoln this year.
“Mitch Lincoln is in the seconds and should be looking to make the first-grade team,” Don Skinner said.
“He played some night games and looked good, he will start in the two’s but could end up in firsts sometime during the summer.”
Although the youth is exciting at the Tigers, Mat Skinner said the club’s more experienced players have a vital role to play this summer.
“Wayne Dunlop has been opening our batting for years and he’ll look to lead our batting line up again,” he said.
“He was consistent last year and that’s what we want from all our batsmen.
“Dan Holland is our new vice-captain and hopefully giving him a leadership role will take his game to a new level.
“I’d be disappointed with the first-grade team we’ve assembled if we don’t make the finals, that’s what we are aiming for.”
Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
