Gisborne is primed for a tilt at a second straight Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup premiership.
The Dragons took out last season’s premiership in dramatic circumstances after the grand final against Diggers Rest Bulla finished in a tie.
The Dragons, who defeated the Burras in the final round of the season, were awarded the premiership because they finished higher on the ladder.
Dragons coach Simon Harman said the players were motivated for more success and had put in a really positive pre-season.
As well as tasting GDCA premiership success last season, the Dragons came within a win of playing on the MCG in the state T20 competition.
Their C-grade side also won the GDCA premiership.
“It’s been a shortened pre-season, but we’ve had really good numbers and people are motivated,” Harman said.
Harman said the club had retained most of last year’s premiership side, with Daniel Trevillian, who has retired, and Eamon McKenna, who is travelling, the only players missing.
Englishman Tahir Afridi, who was named in the Central Highlands Region Team of the Year, is back for another season.
The Dragons have added former players Jakson Knight and Jason Williams to the playing list for the coming season.
“Jakson was in our 2009 grand final team as a 14-year-old,” Harman said.
“He has played a lot of cricket and has been playing overseas.
“Jason moved to the country [Gippsland], but has moved back to the area.”
The club has also signed former Sunbury United coach Jeremy Newman, who will also act as a development coach. Newman was previously involved with Victorian Sub-district Cricket Association club Melton Lions.
Harman said the signing of Newman showed the club was looking at ways to continuously improve.
“It felt like coaching wasn’t just a one-man job,” he said. “We wanted to get someone else on board to give everyone in the club the best coaching.”
He said young guys such as Aidan Beard, Riley Vernon and Roby Lane – who were around the edges of the team last year – would get more opportunities to play at senior level.
The Dragons start their season against Bacchus Marsh on October 8 in a one-day clash at Maddingley Park.
In other GDCA news, Tylden, which won the E-grade premiership last season, will not field a side this season due to the loss and retirement of players.
The club was due to play in the club grade south competition.
