ST PATRICK’S captain-coach Heath Naughton is banking on the continued improvement of youngsters carrying the Patties into Cricket Albury-Wod-onga finals this season.
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After being edged out by the narrowest of margins in 2007-08, Naughton is confident the emergence of Braedon Hensel, Josh Steadman, Dean Nicholson and Mitch O’Brien can push them into the upper echelon.
“We missed out by seven runs last year and you would like to think we could find that improvement,” Naughton said.
“A good young crop of young blokes are pushing through and a few of us old blokes are still around to help them out.
“If we have a fair dinkum go, I can’t see why we couldn’t play the finals.”
Naughton will be coaching St Patrick’s for the first time after favourite son Dean Carroll joined the newly-formed Yarrawonga-Mulwala Cricket Club as coach.
Carroll had spent the past 20 seasons with the Patties and Naughton admitted he had big shoes to step into.
“I have captained the last season and a half, but it will be my first year as coach,” he said.
“It’s just a matter of continuing the Dean Carroll legacy I guess.”
The Patties’ biggest loss is young opener Stuart Rixon, who has moved to Melbourne for university.
Veteran batsman James Kreutzberger is also considering returning to play for home club Rand.
On the positive side, Ben Weckert has returned from Holbrook and former Canberra second grade player Shane Clough has come on board.
St Patrick’s will hold an information night at the Commercial Albury Golf Club from 6.30pm tonight.
