Stability or Recruitment? Which Approach Will Pay Off?
Premier League Preview 2 Welcome to the second instalment of our Premier League Preview. In this edition we look at the teams who finished on top of 1st White to gain promotion to Premier League. Victoria Park Carlisle (Women’s) and Sorrento (Men’s) come back to the top grade with vastly different approaches.
Note: Ins and Outs are based on available knowledge when published and may change prior to round 1.
Victoria Park Carlisle
Ins: Nil
Outs: Shirley Johnston (Melville)
First 9 Fixtures: Mann (A) SB (H) OP (H) Mun (A) Gos (H) Sorr (A) MP (H) Leem (A) NB (H)
Victoria Park are back in Premier League after a short hiatus and will be hoping this campaign goes better than their last which saw them relegated. Prior to that season the Reds had been part of the Premier League furniture, enjoying mostly mid-table finishes with some finals campaigns as well. After some player losses they lost their Premier League status. Now they’re back and will be looking to make a splash. There’s been very little movement at Vic Par with seemingly no guaranteed starters coming in. Only the one out however it is a big one with Australian Indoor qualifier Shirley Johnston leaving the club to join Melville back in White. A lot of clubs take the recruiting approach when coming up however Safety Bay had success last year keeping the same group together and Vic Park will be out to do the same.
Every game is important but the middle of each fixture set is a particularly important time for the Reds. They have a three game stretch between rounds four and six where they avoid all of last year’s heavy hitters which presents a big opportunity to pick up points. That could even be extended back to round two, particularly in the first half of the year when Safety Bay and Osborne Park at home could be opportunities as well. Like many clubs Vic Park would do well to make their home green a fortress, however the generally kind grass greens they have mean that the good sides should hold no fear of going down to Victoria Park.
Classification: Demotion Fighter
This is a side that really struggled last time in the big league and doesn’t seem to be noticeably stronger. They haven’t managed to bring any extra Premier League experience and have lost a player who has had a modicum of success in events outside pennants in Johnston. They’ll cop a baptism of fire at the reigning premiers Manning. Despite this it’s crucial that they make a good start with their fate possibly decided by Christmas. Osborne Park, Mosman Park and North Beach are all contenders who’ll they play at home so if they can grab some early points off the front runners then they may have themselves safe at the break. If not, then they might struggle to get a bit for points in the second part of the season.
Sorrento
Ins: Allan Barron (Morley), Mike Browne (Morley), Murray Hulbert (Wanneroo), Bryce Gunson (Morley), Mal Burton (Morley),
Outs: Brad Ball (Dudley Park), Shane Rixom (Eastern States)
First 9 Fixtures: Mann (A) OP (H) Mor (A) Kard (H) Cam (A) Bass (H) Dview (A) Warn (H) SP (A)
Sorrento are up for the first time in their club’s history and have moved fast to try and ensure they stick around. Known for its planning processes Sorrento have already adapted their strategic plan to include maintaining their Premier League status. They’ve also been very active on the recruiting front securing a number of players from who played top flight bowls last year. A considerable part of the Morley side that stayed up last year in their first season back has migrated across, including it seems former WA rep Rhett Butler. It hasn’t officially happened yet, but it seems a move is all but done. Murray Hulbert comes having played many years at Wanneroo as well. What this will do to the line-up and chemistry of the side we don’t know but Sorrento have certainly tried to get themselves as good a chance as possible. They have had the misfortune to lose Brad Ball who was one of the top skippers in White last season. However, they are still capable of fielding solid 16 with depth throughout. How they’re backend fairs may be the key to their season.
Sorrento as a venue will be no stranger to top level bowlers having hosted State Events and finals for a long time now. However, when the wind starts blowing only the locals really know what’s going on. Home games, as for any new team, will be key for Sorrento in establishing a base to work from. As with Vic Park the middle of each set of fixtures will be vitally important. Rounds 3-6 are about as kind as you could hope for in Premier League where there are no real easy games. They’ll wait until round 8 to have a grand final rematch where no doubt some pride will be on the line. A tough start and end to the season makes that middle section crucial in terms of fixtures.
Classification: Demotion Fighter
As we’ve said thus far the goal of almost any promoted team should just be to hold. While they have brought in some players, many of whom had a successful 2017/18 they were on the precipice and may lack a little bit of the punch that their former side had. That being said the existing player base is very capable and if things go well early you wouldn’t right this team off pushing for safety in mid-table. Overall though, we want to see them at the level before we’re ready to tip that.
