RSL Colts captain Marty Jeffrey wants to give his club's up and coming talent a first taste of the success he believes awaits them when they meet Rugby for their first round McDonald's Megahit clash on Friday evening.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"We've done the same over the past few years, we have a few of the older guys step down, because it's hard on their bodies as they get older with this schedule and because it's a really good opportunity for us to blood some of the younger fellows," Jeffrey said.
"Coming through the same ranks myself, I know the buzz you get from playing under lights, for a lot of the guys it'll probably be their first time playing on the no. 1 oval."
READ ALSO:
Jeffrey says the roster change is a 'good opportunity' to boost the confidence of the young guns, players who will likely form key components in the side's first grade roster in a few years time.
"Right now I think we've got seven players coming in who are under 21 years old, it's exciting for the club, I think it shows the way the club is going, if we can keep getting our juniors through."
On Friday night,the club will be looking to three additions in particular amongst the new additions; Alex Orth, Archie Backus and Riley Keen.
"Alex and Archie have been in and around the juniors for a while and during the off-season, they've got bigger, stronger and a lot more mature."
"They're definitely up for it and would hold their own in any first grade side."
Keen, the youngest addition to the squad, is one of the Colts most promising youngsters and could easily be a future star, according to Jeffrey.
"Riley's only thirteen, but we've seen some stuff in him that I think shows that he could one day go to first grade and probably further beyond that."
"It's a great opportunity for him to be exposed to that higher, first grade level in men's cricket."
"I hope the three of them can take a lot out of it and take some of what they learn back to their second grade side and continue to do well."
While Jeffrey's aware of how cliche'd it might seem to say that his side needs to have fun to play their best, he still believes the old adage rings true, and is confident that providing a good platform for the younger players will lead to a win.
"It's definitely where we play our best cricket, cliche or no, so long as we're setting good standards for the younger guys, we usually get the best results."
"We always look to go out and try and take the game away from anyone and we've got a fair few guys who can do that."
Jeffrey also wants to see strong pairings between the squad's juniors and veterans, especially those who aren't as accustomed to the T20 format.
"We'll have a good mix of old and young in our batting order, that'll be the key, hoping that these young guys particularly with the bat can get to bat with some older heads like Chris Morton or Wes Giddings."
"If they can spend some quality time and learn about the T20 game, which is where the sport's evolving to, then it'll do them the world of good."
Friday night's McDonald's Megahit clash between the RSL Colts and Rugby is set to take place at 5.30pm on Victoria Park's no. 1 oval.