Tara Murray
A big 18 months for Deer Park has gotten even better with the Lions signing former Victorian Premier Cricket stars Dean Russ and Dan Sartori.
Coming off a Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division grand final in March, the Lions have shown they are now a destination club with the arrival of the two stars.
Russ, who won the Ryder Medal in 2021-22, played more than 300 games for Footscray and captained its premiership team in 2013-14 and is one of premier cricket’s best ever players.
Sartori, who played with Footscray in recent years, having made a name for himself at Richmond.
Lions coach Mick Andriadis said these were the biggest signings in the club’s history.
“We are rapt that we could get them,” he said.
“It happened through Steve [Krstevski ] our president. Dean has played in some T20s for us in the past.
“Steve had that relationship with him and got in first when we found out he was retiring from district cricket.
“Dan wanted to still play with Dean and we were one of the clubs that could accommodate them both.”
Last season Russ averaged 54, while Sartori averaged 42 runs a game.
Andriadis said it would be amazing for those at the club to get the experience to play and learn from both Russ and Sartori.
“It’s good for the young ones around them,” he said. “If you are a batsmen you get the chance to learn off these two blokes who have been terrific district cricketers.”
Andriadis said they hadn’t spoken about whether either of the two recruits would have any official leadership roles.
He said the club had really become a destination club the last couple of years.
“We’ve got to give credit to the people behind the scenes,’ he said.
“It’s really good and a lot of support in the semi final. Lots of messages and support and it put us on the map to speak.
“We are trying to be one of the big clubs. We didn’t win the premiership, but it was only our first year in senior division.”
The signings of Russ and Sartori are the latest in what is turning into an action packed off season.
Premiers Yarraville Club has added Michael Hill, another stepping back from premier cricket, and Nathan Johnson crosses from the Druids.
Andriadissaid the competition would be exciting going forward.
“Yarraville Club is always hard to beat,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to playing them, this year we will have a bit more depth. It’s only good for the association to have the best players in the competition.”
Andriadis said, due to the points cap, they probably wouldn’t add in any other players to their first XI.
He said they were hoping to strengthen their second XI as well to be more competitive next season.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
