St Albans has capped off a dominant season by securing a home final in the north division of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
The Saints and western suburbs rival Taylors Lakes have broken away from the other sides in the division and are well clear of third-placed Aberfeldie.
St Albans president Ian McKenzie said he felt there was a key difference between the Saints’ current side and ones that have contested the finals for the club in the past.
He said every player from one to 11 was putting his hand up to contribute every week and it was vital for this approach to continue.
“It has been a sensational year so far,” he said.
“Everyone has really worked hard on their form.
“Everyone is doing a little bit instead of relying on one or two.
“Everyone is sharing the workload, which is what we have been wanting for years.
“Usually the team is pretty settled but this year the guys from the seconds have been putting a lot of pressure on the guys above. It has been really impressive.”
Leading the charge for the Saints is a trio of star all-rounders. English import George Well has been a clear standout with the bat, striking 418 runs for the season at an average just short of 50.
He is joined in the competition’s top 25 run scores by team-mates Geeth Alwis and Tom Langley-Dunn.
It is a similar story with the ball, with Alwis a standout.
He has taken a competition high 39 wickets while Langley-Dunn and Wells are both among the top 25 wicket takers in the division.
Alwis was on similar pace with the bat and ball last season before injury ended his campaign.
“Having Geeth for the whole season is huge for us,” McKenzie said.
“We lost him for the finals last year because he broke his finger. That was a big loss for us as he’s a quality all-rounder.
“Touch wood, everyone is fit at the moment and everyone is going fine and we’d like to keep it that way.”
The Saints feel they are more than ready to end their semi-final losing streak.
The First XI has lost in the semis in five of the past eight seasons, but McKenzie said this year’s group was in the best possible position to progress to a grand final.
“All we can do is perform the best we can during the year and get the best position,” he said.
“Cricket is a funny game and anything can happen.
“We just want to keep putting ourselves in the right positions.”
In the final round of the home and away season, St Albans requires a further 247 runs to beat Craigieburn with 10 wickets in hand.
