Cricket comes back: WDCA season 2026/27 preview

Goodbye football and netball, hello cricket!
The Warragul and District Cricket Association season will begin this weekend around Baw Baw, and Gazette cricket correspondent Samuel Laffy has the information you need to know where every club sits heading into the 2026/27 season.

Western Park
Coach/captain: Sam Batson.
2026-27 teams: Divisions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Ins: Damien Lawrence (top order bat), Liam Sylvester (top order bat), Harry Brindle (bowling all-rounder), Danny Francis (top order bat), Sam Russell (all-rounder).
Outs: Ellis Whiteford, Gavin Roulston.
Tomes have been written the past four seasons regarding Western Park's dominance, and rightfully so, as the Warriors capped off season 2025-26 by sealing their unfathomable four-peat with a dominant 147-run win over Drouin.
No matter how much opposition XIs schemed and planned to identify weaknesses in Western Park's line-up, they often found themselves overpowered, seemingly at times on the basis of the belief of the Warriors' players alone.
An almost flawless campaign was interrupted only by an upset loss to Catani in the one-day final, with a number of crushing victories throughout the home-and-away season. These included a 207-run win over Longwarry, bowling out Catani, Trafalgar, and Hallora in consecutive weeks for under 100, and a record-breaking 471-run demolition of Iona, all of which highlighted their strength.
The grand final – where they humbled a Hawks squad that had high hopes of knocking them off – was further proof that the club continues to be several steps ahead of their rivals.
Few would bet against Western Park continuing their incredible streak in 2026-27, although others within the WDCA will be hoping that the absences of Ellis Whiteford and Gavin Roulston will perhaps unsettle the Warriors' line-up.
However, the club has recruited smartly in the off-season – including the signing of Jacques Augustin in a specialist coaching role – and will no doubt continue to set the tone for the WDCA this summer.
It's difficult to envisage a drop-off in performance, with the likes of Greg Munro, Sanjaya Gangodawila, Joel Batson, and Sam Batson all set to cause headaches for opposition attacks, and Kade Burns and the indefatigable Jason Croft expected to once again be a handful with the ball.
Captain-coach Sam Batson – as always – refused to buy into the hype when quizzed about his thoughts on the upcoming summer, instead reiterating that Western Park will continue to look to build and improve as the season progresses.
"It's a big year for the club, especially with the 50-year celebration. We are looking forward to getting more games into younger players whilst competing for our fifth flag in a row and aiming to get silverware in other grades again too."

Trafalgar
Coach/captain: Kieran Laird (coach), Aiden George (captain).
2026-27 teams: Divisions 1, 3 and 5.
Ins: Kieran Laird (wicketkeeper-bat), Matthew Wakefield (middle order bat).
Outs: Alex McKenna, Michael Fitchett (returning to England).
In 2025-26 Trafalgar were the surprise packets of the competition in the early part of the home-and-away season, with wins over Drouin, Iona, and Hallora seeing them sitting atop the division one table.
However, this stunning run of form couldn't last and just one victory came their way after the Christmas and New Year's break, the Ships eventually sliding down to finish sixth.
Rhys Holdsworth was superb, scoring 585 runs and continuing to increase his standing as one of the more talented batters in the WDCA, whilst Aiden George regularly showed glimpses of his ball-striking ability, notching a century against Hallora in round three and blasting a stunning 59-ball 116 against Buln Buln in the mid-week T20 competition.
Alex McKenna also impressed and struck multiple centuries across the summer but outside of this trio the drop-off in batting depth regularly prevented Trafalgar from posting challenging totals, especially in two-day cricket.
David Bremner's raw pace saw him emerge as the standout bowler, but the Ships will be keen to see some of their younger bowlers become more incisive with ball-in-hand to support him.
The loss of McKenna in 2026-27 will be a challenge to overcome, although Kieran Laird arrives highly regarded, having made his way through the Dorset County pathway to make his debut in the Dorset First XI during the English summer, and also spending time in the Cardiff Metropolitan University High Performance Program.
His ability with the bat will be crucial to the Ships' hopes of enjoying more consistent returns, and his coaching qualifications will no doubt expand the club's professionalism.
When quizzed about Trafalgar's hopes for the upcoming summer, Zack Brown noted that there is a genuine buzz and energy around the club.
"Our division one side is still looking to develop our younger crop of players… overall we just want people to enjoy playing cricket. In this day and age, cricket clubs are competing with every other than cricket to keep players," he said.
"We have two new co-presidents in (myself) and Cooper Burgess – two in their mid-twenties who bring youth and excitement into the role – and as a club we are super keen to kickstart the season, and with the return of our division five side we feel it will be a big year."

Catani
Coach/captain: Cameron Brown.
2026-27 teams: Divisions 1, 3, 4 and 5.
Ins: Mitchell Goodwin (opening bowler).
Since making their way into division one in 2021-22, Catani have often hinted at their potential, with runs to the semi-final in 2022-23 (where they fell short against Hallora) and also in 2025-26 (a match which saw Drouin emerge victorious).
The Cats have regularly found it difficult to match the intensity of their opponents in knockout clashes, which has prevented the club from tasting the success at the highest level that they desire.
However, last summer they took a leap which might see them continue to build as a 'heavyweight' of the WDCA in the near future courtesy of an upset win over Western Park in the one-day final.
This experience will no doubt provide that crucial extra belief that they can hold strong in pressure situations, especially for those such as Mitch Gregson, who delivered the superb final over that saw Sam Batson's defences breached as Catani clinched a three-run premiership win.
The seamer's only other over for the day had been belted for 14, and his ability to bounce back and deliver in a big moment will no doubt continue to act as inspiration for the Cats in 2026-27.
Catani boast impressive depth with bat and ball – reflected in five batters making more than 200 runs and six bowlers snaring 15 wickets or more last summer – with captain-coach Cameron Brown's impressive leadership a feature of the club's continued development.
It's obvious that a grand final berth is in their sights and the Cats have made moves in the off-season to boost their chances of piggybacking on their impressive showing in 2025-26.
Making the move from Drouin, Mitch Goodwin is no stranger to batting line-ups in the WDCA, and his bowling accolades are well known. His ability to quickly made inroads with the new ball will be a focus as he leads the Catani attack.
Aside from Goodwin – and as seen in off-season posts on the club's social media pages – the focus was on re-signing key members of their First XI, with Coby Podd, Ned Harrison – the club's reigning champion player – and Cody Miller (who is taking on the role of assistant coach) putting pen to paper and committing to Catani's push for greater success.
It's likely that the Cats will again compete strongly against their division one rivals and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them surge into the top four early in the summer and stay there.
Certainly – as noted by Cameron Brown – anything but a finals appearance will be viewed as a failure.
"We had a successful year (in 2025-26), winning the one-day final and finishing second overall. Our goal is to build on that, continue to grow as a team, and thrive in the big moments. The experience we gained in those 'big games' last year is going to be valuable for us this season," he said.

Hallora
Coach/captain: Brett Williams.
2026-27 teams: Division 1, 2, 4 and 5.
Ins: Alex Donnelly (seam bowler), Max Boxall (all-rounder), Tom Pipe (batter), Ethan Guest (all-rounder), Kallum Croxford (all-rounder), Rob Templeton (wicketkeeper), Ben Kelliher (all-rounder), Allan Jackson (bowler).
Outs: Ed Lemmon, Marcus Gadie, Josh Wilson.
For a club that's been a perennial premiership contender, recent seasons in division one haven't been kind to Hallora, with the Kangaroos missing out on finals action twice in the last three campaigns.
Indeed 2025-26 might have seen them reach their nadir, as they began by being bundled out for 59 by Catani, endured Trafalgar ransacking 2/236 against them in a one-day encounter and handed the struggling Ionan outfit their only win of the summer across a dismal run that saw them with just a solitary victory to their name heading into the Christmas break.
The riot act no doubt being read to them saw Hallora bounce back with four victories seeing them on the cusp of roaring back into finals contention. Alas, the lack of early wins was too great an obstacle to overcome and they finished 2025-26 in fifth.
Cognisant of the need for action rather than resting on laurels and hoping for the best, Hallora have steadily rebuilding their squad, bringing in young talent across all facets of the sport in an effort to return to former glories.
Alex Donnelly – from Walton-on-Thames CC – brings quality medium-pace swing, Max Boxall – a batting all-rounder from Sawston and Babraham CC – has been recruited for his patience and versatility through the middle order and Tom Pipe – from Abergavenny CC in the Welsh Premier League – adds depth to their top order.
Alongside the trio is the returning Ethan Guest, an all-rounder who made both the WDCA and All-Gippsland teams of the year in his previous tenure with the club, and Gamini Kumara, an all-round genius who needs no introduction to followers of the WDCA.
On paper at least the Kangaroos now boast one of the stronger squads in division one, but whether the unit can gel effectively and work together as a unit will be one of the talking points of the early part of the season.
Certainly, they'll be hoping to replicate the exploits of the division one Premiership winning squad of 2016-17, who will celebrate their 10-year reunion this season.
However, Hallora aren't putting too much pressure on themselves, as seen in Brett Williams' comments when sought out for reflection on the upcoming summer.
"Our aim is to have our four senior teams playing off in the finals at the end of the season. We're also excited to have an inaugural women's cricket team."

Ellinbank
Coach/captain: Aaditya Varadharajan (coach), Curtis Howell (captain).
2026-27 teams: Divisions 1, 3 and 5.
Ins: Kim Drew (all-rounder), Bryce Joyce (all-rounder), Stu Johnson (batter), Bailey Reid (bowler).
Outs: Jeremy Gray.
2025-26 was a strange season for Ellinbank, as the Eagles oscillated between looking unstoppable to looking decidedly beatable from week-to-week.
This is perhaps best encapsulated by the run post-Christmas which saw them thoroughly outclassed by Longwarry, posting 4/247 against Catani the following weekend in a high-scoring one-day clash, but then slumping to a comprehensive defeat at the hands of Western Park just a fortnight later.
An even number of wins and losses reflects this inconsistency, and although they made the semi-finals, there was little they could do to stop the Warriors' juggernaut.
It took a 63-run last-gasp 10th-wicket stand between Jeremy Gray and Jack Pandolfo for the Eagles to notch a competitive score, but it wasn't enough to propel them into the grand final.
However, Aaditya Varadharajan is back in the fold as coach, and the Canadian international will be keen to build on his efforts from last season.
His spectacular 167 against grand finalists Drouin was arguably the most stunning innings of the entire summer, with his scything blade laying waste to anything the Hawks could throw at him.
Although he showed glimpses of repeating the does against Catani and Western Park – where he struck half-centuries – he also returned five knocks where he didn't make it to double digits, a trend he would be keen to atone for.
If he can replicate the superb form he's shown whilst pushing for selection for T20 qualifiers against Nepal and Oman, the Eagles will be hard to stop.
Ellinbank will also be keen for the likes of Thomas Keily and Nick Fairbank to return to their best this summer. The duo are immensely talented and have proven track records against the best the WDCA has to offer.
They've lost one of the club's favourite sons – Jeremy Gray – and his tenacious strokeplay and deceptively lethal off-spin will be sorely missed, but at least on paper Ellinbank appear to be well placed to once again compete strongly.
In a summer when the Eagles celebrate their 100th anniversary – an event sure to attract a crowd of the old, the young, and every Ellinbank representative in between – they will once again be a tough task for clubs looking to work their way into the top four and opposition XIs should be wary of underestimating them.

Drouin
Coach: Troy Lehman.
2026-27 teams: Divisions 1, 2, 4 and 5.
Ins: Kasun Ranasinghe (all-rounder), Damith Mapa Ralalage (wicketkeeper).
Another summer and another dose of heartbreak for Drouin occurred in 2025-26, with the Hawks once again forcing their way into a premiership decider against Western Park.
However, after pushing the Warriors to their limits in 2024-25, last summer's grand final ended in a defeat that raised more questions that it answered.
They were powerless to stop Sanjaya Gangodawila from putting on another masterclass, and with the bat showed little fight as they slumped to 147-run loss.
Now, this might read like an exaggerated doom-and-gloom summary, and indeed there is plenty to celebrate for Drouin. They have impressive depth across not only their division one squad but their entire club, and the advances in their junior program – led ably by Stephen Boltong – sees the Hawks begin 2026-27 in a strong position.
Damon Healy will again be a crucial factor in the success of Drouin, and his ability to change a game with the bat in the space of just a few overs was regularly on display last summer, most notably in his knock of 105 against Catani.
Troy Lehman's efforts to lead the bowling attack were admirable, and his 33 scalps saw him head and shoulders above his teammates on impact.
Lehman's re-appointment as senior coach for the Hawks was one of the more popularly received off-season posts on Drouin's social media, with the club waxing lyrically on his passion and love for the club, and his ability to garner the respect of the playing group and use this to lead the way on-field.
They've recruited Damith Mapa Ralalage to bolster their batting depth, and his impressive resume in recent efforts with Mordialloc in the Southern Bayside competition and with Berwick in the DDCA sees him as a player to watch in the early part of the summer.
Additionally, the Hawks have added Kasun Ranasinghe – tempted across from Garfield-Tynong – and his genuine all-round talent (as a crafty off-spinner, talented wicketkeeper, and explosive batter) will see him be perhaps the perfect 'x-factor' to adapt to any game situation.
There's little doubt that Drouin will once again feature heavily towards the top of the division one table. Whether they can take that next step and taste premiership success remains to be seen.

Longwarry
Coach: Jonah Serong.
2026-27 teams: Divisions 1, 2 and 5.
Ins: Pramod Rathnayaka, Craig Delaney, Joey Wilson.
Outs: Yashan Samarasinghe.
Like many ensconced in division one's chasing pack last summer, Longwarry enjoyed stretches of success, but they fell away in the latter part of the season as the longer form of the game allowed chinks in their armour to be exposed. In particular, a lack of runs at times made it difficult for their attack to bowl to their potential, as they were forced into more of a holding role.
Nonetheless, their best performances across the home-and-away season came just after the Christmas break, when they launched rollicking chases in wins over Ellinbank and Trafalgar, the latter featuring a stunning cameo knock from Sam Pullen in one of his rare appearances.
The loss of Yash Samarasinghe – one of the more talented all-rounders in the WDCA – will be immensely difficult to replace (he departs to Dandenong West CC).
Off-setting this however, are the recruiting of Pramod Rathnayaka and Craig Delaney, the latter of who is set to open the batting and provide some fireworks at the top of the order.
Alongside Delaney, Joey Wilson is making the long trip abroad to represent the Crows, and his batting prowess will be a key factor.
Bolstering the Second XI will be Finn O'Hara and Samuel Wood. The club should be congratulated for putting their hands up and moving from division three into division two following their premiership success in 2025-26, although Longwarry – to their credit – have never shied away from approaching a challenge head-on.
Additionally, Liam Webb will return to the club, and he will look to build on the glimpses of his all-round potential he showed in his first summer with Longwarry, and Jonah Serong has re-signed as senior coach.
With Matthew Aslett delivering a number of excellent performances, the Crows have a talented core to build around, but whether they can develop the depth required to challenge the 'heavyweights' of the WDCA remains to be seen.
Jonah Serong is confident that the club can continue to overachieve though.
"Having lost some key players I think the club has done well at recruiting for the areas we have let ourselves down in. Some fresh faces to lead the Crows hopefully back into finals," he said.

Warragul
Coach/captain: Lachlan Ramage (captain), Eddie McGillivray (vice-captain).
2026-27 teams: Divisions 1, 3 and 5.
Ins: Amal Athulathmudali, Dulaj Abeykoon, Ben Spicer, Jake Van Den Berghe.
Outs: Matt Wakefield.
Reduced to just two senior teams last summer, Warragul bucked the trend that has afflicted many clubs facing declining numbers, with their First XI tasting premiership success and the club now fielding three sides in 2026-27.
In division two they suffered an early loss to Drouin in round two where Matt Kouris pummelled an 83-ball 95* as he attacked the Gulls bowling unit, but tasted defeat just once more.
They began to flex their muscles post-Christmas, with an outright win over Hallora in round 12, a 161-run demolition of Drouin in their return fixture, and an eight-wicket win over Western Park in the one-day final.
The grand final saw them restrict the Titans to 164, and Eddie McGillivray (70) and Matt Wakefield (58*) carried them to a six-wicket win to the delight of their supporters in attendance.
Their squad boasts quality across all lines, with Eddie McGillivray (425 runs), Patrick Mulqueen (323 runs and 10 wickets), Lachlan Ramage (281 runs and 23 wickets), David Wheeler (21 scalps), and Paul Wookey taking turns to lead the way for the Gulls as they went about ensuring promotion to division one.
However, there's a gulf in quality between the top two tiers in the WDCA and Warragul's off-season moves reflected their understanding that they had no time to sit on their laurels.
Dulaj Abeykoon joins the Gulls from Tasmania – where he's represented clubs in the KFC Southern Cricket Association – and his damaging strokeplay and crafty off-spin will be crucial.
Additionally, Ben Spicer has made the move to join Warragul, and his experience in the WDCA will be invaluable.
Jake Van Den Berghe has also made the move from Garfield-Tynong, and the promising wicketkeeper-bat will be keen to prove himself in division one.
Finally, the arrival of Amal Athulathmudali is one of the more exciting signings of any club in the association, with the all-rounder having previously made his mark in the WDCA.
Together with the existing talent that the Gulls possess, they are better placed than most clubs who make the leap into the top tier. Whether they can adapt to the challenges of facing some of the league's best will be a fascinating watch in the upcoming season, and – on paper at least – they appear to be a realistic finals contender.

Iona
Coach/captain: TBC.
2026-27 teams: Divisions 2 and 4.
Ins: Jordan Coutts (wicketkeeper-bat), Darcy Flanagan (bowling all-rounder).
Outs: Andrew Hilder (Gembrook), Jesse Depasquale (Koo Wee Rup).
Iona enters season 2026-27 in somewhat of a state of flux, with the Swamp Tigers forced to adapt to changes in key positions.
The club was hoping to secure the services of Tom Cottrell as coach, but work commitments saw him forced to move interstate, and a search is underway for his replacement as the summer of cricket begins.
Additionally, Michael Neilson announced during the off-season that he was stepping down as president, a role he's held for 14 years.
However, as they enter their 30th year in the WDCA, Iona will no doubt continue to surprise those who might doubt them – despite being relegated from division one.
2025-26 was a dismal campaign for the Swamp Tigers, with just a solitary victory over the course of the home-and-away season.
The win was a memorable one – upsetting a more highly-fancied Halloran outfit – but the back end of the summer saw a number of heavy defeats sap their spirits.
The 235-run and 471-run losses against Trafalgar and Western Park in the final two fixtures highlighted the stark drop-off in depth within Iona's First XI, a reflection of their status as one of the smaller clubs within the association.
However, the likes of Liam Lenders and Jackson Clerks – who both featured in Iona's division two premiership in 2023-24 – will continue to compete strongly for the Swamp Tigers.
Few in attendance will forget Lenders' sublime 149* in that grand final and although he struggled to exert his influence with the bat last summer, he will be keen to atone. The club has also been proactive in adding depth to their squad, picking up the experienced Jordan Coutts from Parkfield CC in the DDCA, and recently signing Darcy Flanagan, a fiery opening bowler who is also capable of providing fireworks with the bat.
Indeed, there is a sense of optimism amongst member of the Swamp Tigers, as noted by James Weitering.
"I think the feeling at Iona is we want to build a club full of people that genuinely want to be there, building a culture where everyone feels they can call Iona home," he said.
"There are some strong young players coming through the ranks and it would be great to continue their development and provide them with the right tools and pathways to excel in senior cricket for Iona."
Whether or not this enthusiasm will carry over into success on the field remains to be seen, but their opponents in division two will likely find themselves facing a stern challenge from the Swamp Tigers.

Garfield-Tynong
Coach/captain: Matt Dodman.
2026-27 teams: Divisions 2 and 4.
Outs: Kasun Ranasinghe (Drouin), Jake Van Den Berghe (Warragul).
The previous two seasons have been rather cruel to Garfield-Tynong, with the Titans twice falling short at the final hurdle in their quest to make a return to the highest tier of the WDCA.
In 2024-25 they claimed the one-day flag and went unbeaten throughout the home-and-away season, only to be spun out by James Allen in a 39-run loss to Western Park, and 2025-26 saw them once again head into the grand final full of confidence before being undone by Warragul's sensational run chase.
Perhaps most difficult to overcome will be the loss of Kasun Ranasinghe to Drouin, as the all-rounder was dynamic with the bat and irrepressible with ball-in-hand.
Combined with the departure of Krishan Rangajith at the midway point of last summer, Garfield-Tynong's attack will look starkly different come round one this season, with their spin-twin dominant game plan no longer an option.
However, in Ricky Mitchell (27 wickets at 15.96) and Hayden Porter (13 wickets at 16.92) they still have some wicket-taking wiles in their arsenal and the chance for some of the lesser-known members of their squad to step up and seize their opportunity has Titans' fans optimistic of success.
Indeed, it's this recognition of the potential upside of changes in a First XI that is the message being delivered by Matt Dodman in pre-season addresses.
"Whilst we have a strong belief in our ability to be at the pointy end of the season, our goal has not really changed from trying to create success and push towards division one cricket again. We have a strong core of young cricketers we expect to take more of the reins this season, and at the same time, a strong focus on getting some of our junior cricketers into the senior program to build their experience and put their individual talents on show."
Garfield-Tynong might not enter the 2026-27 season as firm favourites like they've done in recent summers, but the Titans still possess plenty of talent within their squad and they shouldn't be written off as contenders despite the loss of some of their 'stars.'

Yarragon
Coach/captain: Laytten Smith.
2026-27 teams: Divisions 2 and 5.
The last two summers haven't been kind to Yarragon, with their demotion from division one in 2023-24 followed by a solitary win in 2024-25, and just one more victory in 2025-26.
However, they began to show signs of rebuilding during the home-and-away season, securing a share of the points in a frantic finish against Buln Buln that ended in a tie in round one, and they snatched a 66-run win over Hallora on the back of a sublime 52 from Laytten Smith that ensured the club song could be sung at least once.
And whilst wins weren't forthcoming, they managed to breach the 200-barrier in matches against Drouin and Buln and even pushed Western Park to their limits in the final home-and-away fixture, going down by just a solitary wicket. Such performances will be used as motivation for further improvement in 2026-27.
Captain-Coach Laytten Smith was of course at the heart of it all, making 282 runs and claiming 18 wickets, and he will be keen to help Yarragon return to former glories.
The likes of Chamath Fernando and Hewafonsekage Fonseka also brought all-round skill and the duo – if they remain at the club (with no news from the club regarding the make-up of their squad) – will be crucial factors in Yarragon's chances of victory.
The Panthers will of course also hope to continue the development of several players such as Angus Kirkham, Addison Cumming, etc.
Fielding just two sides – and with a jump between division two and five for the First and Second XIs – won't be easy, and the club's depth will be tested if several players happen to miss at once, but Yarragon faithful will still begin the season full of optimism that they can find the right combination to bring greater success than summers passed.

Buln Buln
2026-27 teams: Divisions 2 and 4.
Season 2025-26 ended in success for Buln Buln in the lower grades, with their youthful division four side claiming a six-wicket win in the grand final over Hallora.
The joke often touted at games involving the Lyrebirds was that no-one was old enough to actually fill the role of central umpire, and the entire squad should be proud of their achievements.
Indeed, the club will be hoping to continue the development of many of these youngsters.
The old firm stood tall in division two last summer, with Corey Jagoe (397 runs and 10 wickets), Wilson Pollock (341 runs), and Sam Reid (15 wickets) leading the way but the Lyrebirds will no doubt be hoping that some new shining lights can help them rise up once again.
Lachlan Jagoe – who broke through for a maiden century in a stunning 100* against Western Park in round two – will be a key factor in Buln Buln's batting, and if they can find contributors to match the odd cameo from some of the aforementioned the club will be well placed.
Jagoe in particular is dangerous at the division two level – as evident in his 87-ball 142 blitzkrieg against Hallora – but he will be no doubt been to take a step back and play a supporting role whilst the younger brigade deliver the goods.
Very little is known about the make-up of the squad in 2026-27, but the Lyrebirds no doubt will be keen to prove they are capable of matching it with the more talented squads this summer.

Jindivick
Coach: James Stevenage.
2026-27 teams: Division 3 and 5.
Ins: Jordan Smith, Angus Thompson, Lovepreet Singh, Harjot Singh Jhutti, Dale O'Neill.
Outs: Yasatha Kariyawasam, Cam Coster.
Fielding a First XI in division three is cause for alarm, especially when expectations were high pre-season as Jindivick took to the field in the lower tiers of the WDCA at the beginning of last summer.
And whilst early signs were good, with an 82-run win over Warragul, a thumping seven-wicket win over Western Park, and a 10-wicket win over Iona the promising start sadly wasn't able to continue. They couldn't carry even a semblance of form into the longer form of the game, and just one win came in the two-day post-Christmas portion of the summer
Re-signed Coach James Stevenage was a standout with the bat and he will be relied on to provide the impetus for his squad as the new season begins.
Little is known about the make-up of the Jumping Jacks' squad but if Ranga Bandara (263 runs and 23 wickets in 2025-26) and Sean Viotto (who is always dangerous at the top of the order) are there, Jindivick should be able to compete in what is likely a short-handed division. Jordan Smith is listed as an inclusion, and his all-round ability will be endlessly appreciated by the Jumping Jacks' faithful.
Indeed, the club is committed to rebuilding their standing, with a healthy buy-in to their junior program, and club expectations are high as officials hope division three can establish a strong finals presence and division five can give their younger players a good introduction to senior cricket.

Neerim District
Coach: John Fleming.
2026-27 teams: Divisions 4 and 5.
Just two seasons ago Neerim District were playing off against Western Park in the semi-finals in division two. Slightly earlier, in 2020/21 the Stags made the division one grand final.
The drop-off of the club is one of the starker reminders that community sport should never be taken for granted.
As it stands, the club will be fielding a First XI in division four - an unheard of situation. Whilst little is known about the make-up of the playing squad, it cannot be easy to approach a summer of cricket in such a scenario.
However, the club is committed to rebuilding. The Stags received a $3478 community grant that will fund three complete junior cricket kits and all match balls required for the summer, and in Lara and Tess Naus they have two of the leading lights in the WDCA's launch of a women's competition.
And, leading the way amongst the quagmire is John Fleming, who was named Community Cricket Coach of the year at Cricket Victoria awards held during the off-season, a recognition that his "dedication, leadership, and passion for the game are second to none."
The club isn't alone in facing such problems – particularly for those communities existing outside of larger population growth – and almost all clubs are facing hurdles to maintain a viable playing list.
However, Neerim District CC aren't going down without a fight, acknowledging their tough circumstances, but also firmly looking forward.