SHDCA FAST FACTS
PRESIDENT – Darren Rushton
A GRADE CAPTAIN – Jason Mangiameli
A GRADE COACH – Jason Mangiameli
LAST A-GRADE PREMIERSHIP – 2020-21
2020-21 FINISH – Runners-up
LEADING RUN SCORER – Marcus Mangiameli – 343 runs @ 34.30
LEADING WICKET TAKER – Stefan Mangiameli – 26 wickets @ 12.42
SEASON PREVIEW
Woorinen will be out to make amends for the disappointment of last season, when they kick off their 2022-23 SHDCA campaign against Ultima-TUF on Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers fell agonisingly short of back-to-back premierships with last year’s 51-run grand final defeat to Nyah District.
Woorinen were among the leading contenders all season long and should be once again – although they will have to find a way to cover the loss of their leading run-scorer and the reigning league best and fairest Marcus Mangiameli.
Mangiameli’s absence will leave a big hole for the Tigers to fill at the top of the order this season, with both his consistency and temperament with the bat key reasons for Woorinen’s success last year.
Jason Mangiameli will once again go around as captain for the Tigers, and he told The Guardian that rather than putting all the pressure onto one player to fill the void, he was hoping the collective can instead cover the loss of their leading run scorer.
“We’ve lost Marcus – he’s living and working down in Bendigo, which isn’t ideal for us and will be a pretty big loss with how many runs he scored last year,” Mangiameli said.
“But there’s a few of us that had a pretty average year, so hopefully we can turn that around and cover his absence with some improved performances across the board.
“We’ll also look to a few of the younger guys like Mitch Uhlhorn, to go to another level – and Glenn Violi will be like a new recruit for us as well.
“He only played the first couple of games last season before getting injured, so he’ll be effectively another in for us – he was a big loss for us at the top of the order last season so he’ll most likely slot into open where Marcus (Mangiameli) was.”
It’s not all bad news for Woorinen however, with the Tigers securing the services of Frank Violi from St Mary’s-Tyntynder – with the all-rounder showing glimpses of his talent last season in the A Grade.
Woorinen’s big strength has long been their work with the ball, with a deep and varied bowling attack more often than not the reason for their success.
Guri Singh has long been one of the competitions leading all-rounders, while young speedster Robert Rush had a break out season last year and looks ready to take his game to another level in 2022-23.
Add in the consistent Stefan Mangiameli and Glenn Violi, along with talented pace bowlers Uhlhorn and Darren Rushton, and it’s easy to see why the Tigers bowling attack is considered one of the best in the SHDCA, according to Mangiameli.
“Last year, we were pretty even with both the bat and ball, but I think we’re at our best when our bowlers are playing well,” Mangiameli said.
“Especially with ‘Rushy’ (Robert Rush) playing the way he did last season – Mitch Uhlhorn will probably step up and get a few more overs this year as well and hopefully he can take that opportunity and add to our attack.”
“We have a fair bit of depth with the ball but hopefully we can have a couple of B Graders putting a bit of selection pressure on as well.”
WORD FROM THE CAPTAIN
JASON MANGIAMELI
“Everyone always starts the season off wanting success and we wont shy away from wanting that either. We’ve played in the last two grand finals and we’ve got a very similar squad and all the younger guys are a year older – we still have that core group that I feel will keep us competitive.”
PLAYER TO WATCH
Robert Rush – Had a breakout season last year with the ball, taking the mantle as the Tigers number one strike weapon with the ball. Took 24 wickets for the season – including a three wicket haul in the grand final, and looks set for another big year opening the bowling.
INS AND OUTS
INS – Frank Violi (St Mary’s-Tyntynder)
OUTS – Marcus Mangiameli (Bendigo United)
