By Tara Murray
Melbourne eXtreme has added a young gun to its squad for the 21st edition of the Bowls Premier League.
With Ali Forsyth missing the event due to international commitments, the Club-Sunbury based eXtreme has signed Jack McShane.
McShane, who is just 19, is a rising star from Merrylands in New South Wales,
He has climbed to number seven in the Australian rankings.
McShane recently clinched his first Australian Indoor title at Club Tweed with his wins including beating Jackaroos stalwart Corey Wedlock and three-time champion Jeremy Henry in the final.
The victory follows his impressive wins in the Australian Open pairs earlier this year and an under-18 Australian singles title in 2023.
He was named the New South Wales male bowler of the year in October for winning the state men’s triples, semi-finalist of the state men’s fours, round of 16 of the state men’s champion of champions.
eXtreme team manager Marc Bullows said they wished Forsyth, who has played 100 games for the side, all the best with New Zealand commitments.
McShane will join Nick Cahill and Kylie Whitehead in the team. Cahill joined the team as a permanent member at the last edition.
Bullows said they were excited to bring McShane on board for the February edition and were keen to see what the team they had put together could do.
“Jack was thrilled to get the phone call,” Bullows said. “He didn’t expect it but we were looking for someone new and exciting with a big future.
“The team is probably the youngest team in the BPL and don’t have the experience that a lot of the teams have but really looking forward to surprising a lot of them
“Nick Cahill was brilliant and Kylie did what she does best in the last event.
“Both players rate Jack and were thrilled when I told them he was in.”
Kelvin Kerkow, who has been involved since the start, will continue on as coach of the side.
eXtreme made the finals in the 20th edition of the event in November, knocked out in tiebreaker in the elimination final.
The 21st edition of the event will be held between February 17-21 at Moama Bowling Club.
eXtreme will be hunting for their first title.
“I’m really looking forward to Moama in Feb and expect a few of our local members to be up there supporting,” Bullows said.
