2023-24 looms as another year of rebuilding for Swan Hill, with a change of leadership and a vastly different line-up set to make for a similar tale of woe for the Swans.
The once proud powerhouse have failed to win a game outside of the McDonalds T20 competition for the past two seasons, and last year suffered an embarrassing outright defeat to eventual premiers St Mary’s-Tyntynder inside one day.
While the Swans’ form over the longer formats of the game have been cause for concern in recent seasons, the early signs last year were positive under the dual leadership of Cal Noonan and Nathan Spicer, with four wins from six games in the T20 competition and finishing third overall.
That was where the positives finished however, with Swan Hill found wanting when the more traditional formats began.
With a new season now upon us, the news isn’t much better for the Swans, who will this season be without at least three key players from last season’s campaign.
The biggest loss is that of former captain Cal Noonan, who is reportedly taking a year away from cricket this season.
Noonan has been Swan Hill’s main weapon with the ball over the past few seasons, taking 24 wickets as an opening bowler in the last two years.
He has also been one of their leading top order batsmen, with 531 runs in all formats in the past two seasons.
Noonan won’t be the only big loss for Swan Hill, with top order batsman and Spicer also departing the club after one season, after moving to Bendigo to play with Eaglehawk.
Completing the departures list is long-time club champion Alan Hatcher, with the veteran packing away the willow after a long and distinguished career with the club.
Edwards, Swan Hill’s leading run scorer from last season, has stepped up into the captaincy role.
Edwards has long been a shining light in a dark period for Swan Hill, and scored 356 runs at an average of 23.73 last season.
The Swans will also be hoping for a big contribution from Jacob Hatcher, who has threatened to become the next star with the bat for maroon and white, along with new recruits Ammar Khalid and Joseph Fernando.
While Khalid is no stranger to the SHDCA, having previously played with RSL, Fernando comes as a fresh face from East Keilor in the VTCA Division 3 competition.
Fernando, an opening bowler and middle order batsman, will help fill the void left by Noonan, while Khalid will likely slot into the middle order for the Swans.
With the ball, the Swans will lean heavily on spinner Ian Schodde, who was the Swans leading wicket taker across all formats last season with 21 wickets, and Hatcher, who showed some good potential after the Christmas break last year.
The big question mark surrounds the availability of Andrew Clark, with the opening bowler suffering a shoulder injury that ended his season early last year.
If Clark returns and Fernando can find some early rhythm, then the Swans may well trouble some teams, but they will also need Edwards and Hatcher to contribute big runs.
SWAN HILL FAST FACTS
PLAYER TO WATCH
Lachlan Edwards – Having taken on the captaincy this season, Edwards will need to repeat his exploits if the Swans are to climb off the bottom of the SHDCA ladder in 2023-24. While he’s most dangerous with the willow in hand, Edwards is a more than handy medium pace bowler, who can also keep wickets when required.
IN’S – Ammar Khalid (RSL), Joseph Fernando (East Keilor)
OUT’S – Nathan Spicer (Eaglehawk), Alan Hatcher (retired), Cal Noonan
