An all-star coaching cast has helped the SRP Mud Dogs get off on the right foot ahead of the inaugural season of the Goulburn Valley Bush Bash League.
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With Central Park-St Brendan's legends Rohan Larkin and Bryan Doyle leading the charge, the Mud Dogs have enticed former Tigers Mitch and Hamish Winter-Irving back to Deakin Reserve to take part in the Crane Aid GVBBL.
And one of the men behind the Mud Dogs - and the GVBBL concept itself - is keen to see what his coaches can produce with their other marquee spot and on draft day at the Sherbourne Hotel on Sunday.
“Steve Reeves Painting is on board as our naming rights sponsor, so we'll be the SRP Mud Dogs,” Darryl Butcher said.
“It's been very encouraging so far (the lead up to the GVBBL draft), it's something (fellow organiser) Dave D'Elia and I have spoken about for a number of years now, so it's great to see it coming to fruition.
“Thanks to Rohan and Doyley for all the work they've been doing in terms of talking to players and it's good to have the Winter-Irvings on board.”
Mitch - who is captain of White Hills Cricket Club - will also steer the Mud Dogs ship, while Footscray's Hamish will fill the role of one of the side's marquee players.
Hamish has been in ripping Twenty20 form in the Vic Super Slam, with five wickets at 13.8 and 30 runs at 30 in the early stages of Footscray's campaign in the competition.
Butcher hopes the excitement surrounding the GVBBL increases as teams are finalised through the draft.
“There's an encouraging array of players who have nominated for the draft,” he said.
“When Dave and I were first talking about it this is what we wanted, a bit of excitement and to draw a few players in from other areas outside the region.
“I'm just looking forward to it, I think it will be an interesting concept and quite a challenge for the players involved. All the boys I've spoken to are excited to hopefully be involved with a team.”
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