Tara Murray
Keilor Park is hoping some strong performances in the coming weeks will keep them in finals contention in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 2.
The Devils’ sit second last after seven rounds, but are still within distance of the top sides.
Devils president Joe Carland said they would still be aiming for finals until it was mathematically ruled out.
“We’ve had some mixed results,” he said.
“We’ve had a couple of good wins against the top sides, but then had some narrow losses against sides we thought we would have beaten.
“When we get our strongest team on the park and play our best we can match it with everyone. If we can stay strong in the back half of the season and pinch a couple of wins, who knows.
“With a floating fixture it is hard, so we’re taking it one week at a time.”
Carland said there had been a good contribution across the board from the squad.
He said Abhiram Thambi had really stepped up this season, while captain-coach Trent Thomson and reigning competition best and fairest winner Dean Gila continuing to lead the way.
Carland said like many other clubs they had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with seven or eight people out at any time in isolation.
He said with such a small club the outs filtered through the club and had an impact on all their sides.
The Devils were set to face Glenroy on Saturday, after deadline.
It was a special day for the clubs with the two clubs playing for the inaugural Lane-Dorgan Shield in the recognition of Ian Lane and Kerri Dorgan.
The two are life members at both clubs.
Carland said it was a pretty unique situation to have two player life members at two clubs.
“This will honour their commitment and effort to both clubs,” he said.
“Our committee spoke about it and there was a unanimous push and when we spoke to ex-players about what was happening, they thought it was a great idea.
“Ian has cooked something like 995 barbecues for the club and Kerri was treasurer for so many years.
“It would be remiss not to recognise them.”
Carland said the couple were shocked when they heard the news. They are set to be in attendance at the match.
He said they were hoping to make the match and the shield a regular occurrence in the future.
“It’s the first time we’ve played each other in 20 years,” he said.
“We will be making it a regular thing as long as we are in the same division.”
The Devils, which has a women’s side, are looking for players for the team that plays in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association.
The side sits third in the Geoff Law Shield, the top grade.
Carland said they wanted to continue to grow that program.
For results of the weekend’s match, go to www.starweekly.com.au
