Ins, outs, intentions and more ahead of the 2025-26 Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield season

So, ahead of the first toss, we compiled a full list of ins, outs, comments and predictions for your reading enjoyment.

Central Park-St Brendan’s

2024-25 finish: Third (11-1-2)

Ins: N/A

Outs: N/A

Club comment: Tyler Larkin (captain-coach)

“We’re the same as last season.

“We’re pretty lucky in that aspect that everyone is returning to the fold.

“Obviously we want to go another step better, we did have a good season but at the same time we didn't win the Haisman Shield.

“We’ve got four or five 17, 18-year-olds who are starting to push their case for A-grade spots.

“We've got a relatively tough draw to start with - we're obviously not underestimating that any team on their day is probably capable of winning this year.

“It looks like a lot of clubs are picking up players; obviously being an Ashes summer there seems to be an influx of English players coming over.

“I think the strength of the competition will improve which is good.”

Prediction: First

They’re unchanged, they’re experienced, and there’s an element of unfinished business for Central Park-St Brendan’s.

The Tigers finished first last season, and while they completed a dominant one-day premiership win, bowing out to Waaia in the semi-final has left one more box to tick for Tyler Larkin’s men.

Larkin confirmed the likes of leading Haisman Shield wicket-taker Jarrod Wakeling, reliable work-horses Ramadan Yze and Brendan Scott, and top run-scorer Connor Hayes – who cracked 610 runs last season – are back to vie for the big prize.

But the Tigers’ mentor also pointed to a young brigade including Alex Robertson, Tom Mellington, Nate Yze, Gus Byrne, and Sam Holland that have enjoyed strong pre-seasons, will be players to watch if called upon.

The Tigers know the shield won’t just be handed to them on a silver platter this season, with a recruiting influx set to tighten up the comp.

But there’s nothing to suggest anything changes for the 2025-26 campaign – the perennial contenders will be one of the teams to beat yet again.

Karramomus

2024-25 finish: Ninth (4-2-6)

Ins: Ethan Baxter (Central Park-St Brendan’s), Bailey Simpson (Katandra), Shane Smith

Outs: N/A

Club comment: Nathan Jones (captain)

“We’ve got a little bit more depth with our batting; over the last couple of years we've struggled to get some runs consistently.

“Hopefully with the players that have been brought in up the top of the order we can get a good foundation of runs under our belt.

“We’re just looking to take small steps in the right direction with the young group that we've got and build on last year.

“We’re a fairly young side, we’ve got some good cricketers coming in, so that'll give us a bit more confidence, put a bit more pressure on blokes to start performing and making runs.

“To have a successful side, you need some good depth coming on through, so there's pressure on all spots.

“If we can get the job done with the bat, then our bowling sort of takes care of itself.”

Prediction: Ninth

A young Karramomus squad will bid to end a decade-long absence from Haisman Shield finals.

The Bloods have assembled the pieces to make a dash for March cricket, with new captain Nathan Jones pointing to his side’s renewed depth and reinforced batting stocks as the key to their charge.

Jones assumed the top mantle in step of top run-scorer Mitch McGrath, who will be joined in the batting order by Katandra all-rounder Bailey Simpson in an effort to squeeze out some more runs.

The Bloods’ strength lies in its bowling, and its pace brigade has received a boost in service of that remaining the case.

Former Central Park-St Brendan’s quick Ethan Baxter returns to the competition after a year off, his first campaign after snaring 17 wickets during the 2023-24 season.

Baxter will complement the likes of fellow paceman Karramomus opener Lachie Keady and Zane Newbound, who have spearheaded the attack in recent seasons.

The pieces of the puzzle are assembled for the Bloods, but can they put it together?

Katandra

2024-25 finish: Fifth (7-1-5)

Ins: Joel Beaumont (England), Matty Long (England)

Outs: Bailey Simpson (Karramomus), Andrew Riordan (injury)

Club comment: Ryleigh Shannon (coach)

“It’s an exciting season ahead.

“We’ll look for others to step up in the absence of one of the league’s best players in Riordan.

“The squad’s depth is something we look forward to testing.”

Prediction: Fifth

The Eagles are ready to soar again, however, a big blow comes with leading runscorer for the club Andrew Riordan ruled out for the year with injury, while the impactful Bailey Simpson has departed for league rival Karramomus.

Riordan averaged 33 runs per game last summer, while Simpson toiled away for an average a tick under 19 per game, as well as snagging 20 wickets with the red leather.

With imports Joel Beaumont and Matty Long arriving from England, Katandra appear to have the depth to cover the holes in the line-up, although coach Ryleigh Shannon admits it’ll be an intriguing test.

Beaumont led Woodlands cricket club’s second XI in wickets taken with 41 this year, while Wood played for Bankfoot cricket club’s first XI in 2025 as a top order batsman, as he also was in previous stints at Woodlands.

Although the outs for this season are few, the talent absent is large, and Katandra’s season will be determined by a ‘next man up’ philosophy to continue the club’s winning ways of season’s gone by.

Kyabram

2024-25 finish: Fourth (8-1-4)

Ins: Kyle Fitzgerald (Darwin), Tim Nelson (Kyabram Fire Brigade)

Outs: N/A

Club comment: Jackson McLay (coach)

“Obviously it was good to go deep into finals again last season, but we didn’t walk away with any real reward so it was a bit of a frustrating end.

“We’ve only actually spoken about the first month. Half your season’s played in the first six weeks, so if you don’t start well and get some wins on the board, you’re behind the eight ball and may not catch back up with the way the season is structured.

“We’re really not looking too far ahead; we’ve got to try and get some wins on the board early and stay ahead of that ledger.

“As it has been the last two or three years, there’s probably seven or eight sides every year that can win it and only six can play finals, so you don’t want to be in those bottom two.

“Put some wins on the board, give yourselves a chance, and hopefully you can perform when it counts.”

Prediction: Fourth

Kyabram enters 2025-26 with a settled spine and a squad largely unchanged from last season, giving the Redbacks a distinct continuity advantage.

After the agony of a semi-final exit due to inclement weather last season, the focus is clear: hit the ground at a sprint.

The linchpin to their campaign is master blaster and reigning Lightfoot Medallist Kyle Mueller, who, after belting 772 runs at 85.8 last season, will dictate how competitive the Redbacks are with the bat.

Kyle Fitzgerald and Tim Nelson’s return also adds runs to the bank, while the side must adapt without Ethan Hart behind the stumps for most of the year.

Kyabram’s philosophy under coach Jackson McLay is pragmatic.

Secure early wins, stay in the top six, and peak at the right time.

Mooroopna

2024-25 finish: 10th (3-2-7)

Ins: Cyrus Shafi (overseas)

Outs: Brodie McDonald (retired), Ethan Baker (overseas)

Club comment: Henry Barrow (coach)

“We were probably a few rained off (games) contending for finals in the first year of a rebuild.

“With all the younger lads having another year of experience, a good overseas (player) coming over and adding a bit more strength in the top order… hopefully we can have a bit of a finals push this year.

“We're not expecting huge things from the younger lads, but if we can get them to contribute an extra 50 runs or five wickets here and there then it really adds to the group as a whole.

“Brodie McDonald is unfortunately finished after an amazing career, playing over 300 games; he's a significant out and he’s made a huge contribution to the club.”

Prediction: 11th

After three consecutive grand finals, Mooroopna flipped the switch on a Haisman Shield rebuild following the loss of a swathe of experienced heads.

The Cats finished 10th but were competitive during the 2024-25 season, so how do they climb back to the illustrious heights of seasons past?

Sharp left-armer Barrow and spin compatriot Jack Gaskill will need to bring the wickets, but the coach has flagged Corey Meyer as one of several young stars to shoulder the load with the ball after a strong pre-season.

Mooroopna’s second and third-ranked bats will leave a gap in the line-up; Brodie McDonald has called time after an illustrious Cats career, and last year’s all-round import Ethan Baker has opted to remain in England.

But top run-scorer Joel May won’t be left high and dry, set to be partnered at the top of the order by new import Cyrus Shafi, who looms as a like-for-like replacement for Baker with some spin variety of his own.

While the nucleus of the side will need some time to develop, they’ll be far from easybeats.

Nagambie

2024-25 finish: Runner up (10-1-3)

Ins: N/A

Outs: Ben Tarran (relocated), Xavier Arandt (Tallarook)

Club comment: Zac Winter-Irving (coach)

“We’ll look pretty similar to last year to be honest.

“We’re definitely on the hunt to play again in March for sure, that will be our biggest goal after last year.

“We’ve got a couple of juniors coming through, and a few others we’ll just see how the season pans out.

“We’re excited to get a couple of the younger kids that have had a year in B-grade a few A-grade games under their belt.

“A couple of them have grown a bit over the winter and it’ll be great to see them step up.

“We’re looking forward to the season, and the format looks good.”

Prediction: Third

Nagambie’s intentions are clear.

The Lakers are targeting another deep run into March following their heart-breaking two-wicket defeat to Waaia in the 2024-25 grand final.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it; Nagambie’s core group has recommitted with the exception of batter Ben Tarran and young bowler Xavier Arandt.

The lethal one-two punch of Mark Nolan and Mitch Winter-Irving, who collected more than 1,000 runs and 75 wickets between them, will again play a key role alongside regular contributors Luke Nolan and James Wilson.

On face value, it looks like the Lakers have the tools at their disposal to challenge for Haisman Shield glory once again, and with fire in the belly it may just be their year to take the next step.

Numurkah

2024-25 finish: Seventh (6-1-5)

Ins: Mitch Grandell, Matt Price

Outs: James Du Toit (overseas), Ben Beaumont (overseas), Bailey Smith (injury)

Club comment: Gino Saracino (coach)

“I think last year, even though we started 5-0, it was probably a bit of a false dawn.

“It just didn’t feel right — our expectations were boom or bust for a flag, but our processes didn’t align and that’s what caught us out.

“This year we’ll probably start a bit slower, but it’ll have more of a Numurkah local feel.

“Then it’s up to those blokes who’ve played at the club for five, seven, 10 years and longer, they fit in and play their role.

“When you lose wickets in clumps in this comp, you lose them in big clumps — it’s a mental thing.

“That’s our challenge this year: to stay in the fight and turn those lapses into resilience.”

Prediction: Sixth

There’s no dancing around the fact Numurkah has been right on the cusp for two straight seasons.

But this time around, the Blues are hell bent on breaking the finals curse.

After two years of heartbreak in the last home-and-away round, coach Gino Saracino has leaned back into local strength while bringing home some familiar quality.

The return of Mitch Grandell, one of the league’s premier spinners from two summers ago, immediately sharpens the attack, while import Ragu Aravinthan is back and brimming with intent to lead the batting charge.

With imports Ben Beaumont and James Du Toit not returning The Blues’ list has a renewed “Numurkah” flavour this season.

That being said, one mystery international recruit is yet to be unveiled, who Saracino says could “take the comp by storm.”

So if Aravinthan fires at the top, Grandell finds his old rhythm and the side holds firm under pressure, Numurkah could finally shed its “nearly” tag and march back into the finals frame.

Old Students

2024-25 finish: Eighth (6-1-6)

Ins: Rehan Bari (Shepparton United), Tiron Fernando (Pine Lodge)

Outs: N/A

Club comment: Vince Gagliardi (coach)

“We’ve got to the stage where we have the young talent and now need some experience, which is where we’ve added Tino and Rehan.

“I think we can go out and say we expect to play finals, to be honest. With the development of the young kids and what we’ve brought in, I think that’s what the expectation should be as a minimum.”

“It’s going to come from some organic growth with our young kids playing. One kid to look out for is Benny O’Brien ... I think he’ll be a big surprise packet this year.

“Sixteen years old, pretty quick opening the bowling and a middle-order bat — we might only have him for this year before he heads to Melbourne for school, but he’s definitely one we think will kick on.”

Prediction: Eighth

Old Students’ project youth is beginning to mature — and this season, there’s genuine steel behind the optimism.

The Kialla brigade finished eighth in 2024-25, an improved finish on 11th the year prior, but the gap between promise and polish is closing fast.

Students have doubled down on their talented core with youngsters Oscar Lambourn and Sam O’Brien elevated to co-captains, while Felix Odell will take the game day reins alongside Liam Callegari.

Enter serious game-changers in 2023-24 Lightfoot Medallist Rehan Bari and Pine Lodge tearaway quick Tiron Fernando.

Both bring the experience and composure Old Students have sometimes lacked in crunch moments, while coach Vince Gagliardi is confident the next wave of youth — headed by 16-year-old bowling all-rounder Ben O’Brien — can rise to the occasion.

The Students’ balance between youthful exuberance and recruited know-how might finally tip the finals scales in their favour.

Pine Lodge

2024-25 finish: 13th (2-10)

Ins: Dylan Hardy (overseas)

Outs: Tiron Fernando (Old Students), Cooper Adkins (SYCU)

Club comment: Travis Waters (coach)

“We felt like it was a pretty successful year (last year); we had ourselves in quite a few games but probably couldn’t finish off sides earlier in the year. That’s just learning, going up to A-grade.

“We won a couple of games and were definitely in a few more, but just couldn’t take the next step so hopefully that will help us this year.

“We’ve got four senior teams and four junior teams as well, so that’s the first time the club has ever had that.

“We’re just looking forward to our second year; we understand it’s a slow build and we’re not expecting to be winning Haisman Shields in a hurry.

“But it’s just a matter of consolidating the club for the second year in the comp.”

Prediction: 12th

They’re keen, green and ready to cause a scene.

Pine Lodge is back for another crack at the Haisman Shield, and after a promising first year in the A-grade fold, the Lodgers are hoping to pull up a few trees along the way.

There is an elephant in the room that needs addressing, though.

Tiron Fernando and Cooper Adkins’ departure removes 39 wickets from Pine Lodge’s attack, but rather than patching over the holes in the bowling department, the green machine has doubled down on batting firepower.

English import Emile Haratbar returns after an impressive 308-run debut season, bringing with him another exciting blade in countryman Dylan Hardy.

The teenager blasted 452 runs at 23.8, including a high score of 121 for Burwell and Exning in the Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire Premier League, while his 22 wickets are not to be sneezed at.

He complements a quietly humming Pine Lodge unit that, while not having immediate premiership aspirations in its sights, will give it a red-hot crack over summer.

Shepparton Youth Club United

2024-25 finish: 11th (2-1-9)

Ins: Tyler Green (Katamatite), Keegan Armstrong (Broadbeach), Cooper Adkins (Pine Lodge), Oliver Swaine (Euroa)

Outs: Rehan Bari (Old Students), Ben Greenwood

Club comment: Sam Nash (captain)

“We’ve got a real young group ready to give it a red hot crack.

“We’ve added a few very experienced cricketers to our team, and mix that in with our youth we’ve added as well we can build forward towards finals - obviously there are 12 teams in the comp trying to do the same, and we’ve got to be realistic about it, but that’s what we’re trying to do.

“Keegan Armstrong coming back to the club is a really exciting one, when he had a few seasons here before he moved to the Gold Coast he was one of the best bats in the league.

“There’s a great injection of youth and excitement at the club as well, so I’m excited to see what we can do.”

Prediction: 10th

SYCU may be in somewhat of a rebuilding phase, but its bringing in of former junior talent suggests the list is shaping for long-term consistency.

Whether on-field reward for its ins are seen immediately this year is one we’ll have to wait and see, but the likes of Keegan Armstrong and Tyler Green certainly bolster the list.

Armstrong averaged 45.8 runs in his second last season at SYCU in 2019-20, while Green was handy behind the stumps in his last season at United in 2022-23.

With some added experience to bolster the list, SYCU will be aiming for a step in the right direction this summer.

After an 11th-placed finish in 2024-25 though, SYCU are well-positioned to make a slight jump up the table this season and show glimpses of their potential for the future with their burgeoning young core.

Tatura

2024-25 finish: Sixth (7-5)

Ins: Jess Petherick (overseas), Harsimran Singh (India), Kiran Green (England)

Outs: Chaz Cheatley (Geelong)

Club comment: Daniel Coombs (coach)

“It’s been a really positive preseason, we played a practice match against a strong Bendigo side.

“Last year we had a positive season to make finals, each season over the past three years we keep improving so with that experience we’re hoping now we can make a bit of an impact in finals.

“There’s no easy games in this league though, and we’re realistic about that but the goal is to get to finals.

“Jess Petherick will be a great in for us, a handy all-rounder, really decent bowler that bowls a good line and length, handy with the bat as well.”

Prediction: Seventh

Tatura made a shock rise from ninth to finals action last summer.

The question now begs - can they back it up?

With homegrown Jess Petharick returning to the club after missing last season due to being overseas and living in Melbourne, his impact looms to be a key towards Tatura success.

It counteracts the loss of Chaz Cheatley if anything, the top order bat and sneaky bowler who claimed an eight wicket haul against eventual premiers Waaia last season.

Most of the crew remains though, with brothers Jayden and Blake Armstrong still on the squad - the pair led the team for wickets taken and runs scored respectively.

With a stable group and the addition of a couple of imports - Singh yet to play in Australian conditions after arriving from India and Green embarking on Goulburn Valley soil from England - there’s no reason why Tatura shouldn’t be around the mark again.

Waaia

2024-25 finish: Premier (9-1-5)

Ins: Brandon Diplock (Zimbabwe), Jamie Riley (England)

Outs: N/A

Club comment: Mitch Cleeland (captain)

“Most of the guys double up and play footy and cricket, so we’ve had a bit of a delayed start (to pre-season), but they’ll be right to go from a fitness perspective.

“We’d be silly if we weren’t hoping that would eventuate (back-to-back flags), but at the same time we’re extremely realistic into the fact there’s a lot of work going into winning one of those.

“We’re hoping our young guys continue to improve, Kaleb Gilmour and Will Trower are our extremely younger ones, so we hope that they can provide the enthusiasm and energy to the group.

“But we’re just hoping if we get five per cent improvement from everyone then that will hold us in good stead.”

Prediction: Second

Waaia has maintained the core group of its premiership side for 2025-26, with no players departing the club for new pastures this season.

The Bombers have added on two international imports to the fold too, in the names of Brandon Diplock (Zimbabwe), and Jaime Riley.

Riley, an 18-year-old left hand batsman from England, has typically opened the innings across his stints in the UK and Europe, while Diplock, a Zimbabwean seamer that’s handy with the bat, was the top wicket taker in 2024 in the Greater Manchester Premier League.

Waaia maintain key guns such as skipper Mitch Cleeland and bowler Jesse Trower, with Cleeland leading the run-scoring tally for the club in 2024-25, while Trower led the club for wickets taken.

With a loyal core group and talented imports thrown into the mix, there’s no reason why this powerhouse sporting town won’t be right back at the pointy end of the season again.

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