The Great Southern Cricket Association (AEHCA) season starts tomorrow (12/10) with 10 teams chasing premiership glory. The season will consist of 12 rounds with six two-day games and six one-day games.  

Reigning premier Encounter Bay will get their premiership defence underway as they host Port Elliot in a grand final rematch. The Bays have lost gun all-rounder Matt Overall to Goolwa, while they’ve picked up former Macclesfield skipper David Caddle. Blake Bailey will continue as captain in 2024/25. After reaching three of the past four grand finals, Port Elliot will be looking for a breakthrough flag this season and will once again be led by Joel Harris who had a career-best season in 2023/24 with 517 runs. The Bloods will be strengthened by the inclusion of former Langhorne Creek ‘keeper-batsman Jaspa Tonkin. It will be a new look Willunga this season following the retirement of Simon Roberts and Rhys Allard, along with Sean McIvor (Goolwa) and Luke Harding (Victor Harbor) leaving the Demons. Willunga will also have a new captain in Rory Hanson. Noarlunga also has a new captain for this season with Cam Bullard stepping into the role following a standout season in 2023/24 where he won the GSCA ‘cricketer of the year’. The Shoes have added Sean Williams (Marion), Jamie Diener (Sandy Creek) and former junior Michael Ledgard (ICC Sharks) to their playing stocks this season, along with former McLaren Districts pair Jett Holberton and Jacob Banks. Mount Compass returned to finals action last season and will once again be led by Aaron Dalitz. Dalitz (21 wickets last season) and Bailey Baldock (19 wickets) will hold the key to the Bulls’ bowling lineup, while Josh Murfitt (328 runs) will look to continue on from last season. Yankalilla also played finals in 2023/24 and will have a new leader this season with Luke Bartlett taking the reins. Bartlett is coming off an excellent season where he made 404 runs and represented the GSCA at the Meyer Shield. Young fast bowler Ryan Borlace returns from Southern Districts and will add much-needed pace to the Tigers’ bowling lineup.

After missing finals action last season, Goolwa had an active off-season signing former Encounter Bay all-rounder Matt Overall as playing-coach and former Willunga fast bowler Sean McIvor. Opening bowler Jayden Crees has moved to Southern Districts. The Magpies will also have a ‘B’ grade this season which will add to their depth. After making the finals in 2022/23, McLaren Districts slipped out of the top-six last season. Top order batsman Justin Twartz will take over as skipper from Luke Goodieson who has moved to Southern Districts. Opening batsman Daniel Bruce and left-arm seamer George Beard will be important players for the Crushers after good 2023/24 seasons. Myponga-Sellicks will once again be led by top order batsman Sean Haverty as they look to return to finals action this season. Michael Tomlinson (290 runs last season) and the Haverty brothers (Sean & Ryan) will be the key to the Mudlarks batting, while the ageless Vinnie Nizzola (22 wickets last season) will continue to lead the attack. Victor Harbor will look to build on their first season back in ‘A’ grade ranks and have added former Willunga premiership skipper Luke Harding to their playing stocks. Veteran Sean Medlen is the new captain at the Vipers, taking over from Josh Boyko who scored 310 runs last season.

Round 1 (1-day games - home team named first)

Mt Compass v Noarlunga

Yankalilla v Willunga

Goolwa v Victor Harbor

Encounter Bay v Port Elliot

McLaren Districts v Myponga-Sellicks