By Nick Creely
It’s been one seriously impressive off-season for Dandenong District Cricket Association powerhouses Berwick.
The Turf 1 runners-up, who will be smarting after a loss in last season’s grand final to Hallam Kalora Park, have made three massive signings as they look to bolster their list and stay in contention for more silverware as the 2021/22 season draws closer by the day.
It comes off the back of re-commitment of several of their star players, including Jarrod Goodes, James Wilcock, Brodie Emmett, Jordan Cleland and many more.
It has been previously announced that the Bears have signed ex-Tasmanian paceman Andrew Perrin, who retired from Premier Cricket after a memorable premiership with Prahran.
The speedster last had a stint with the Bears in season 2011/12, where he snagged 31 wickets from just 13 games and will make for some sleepless nights for opposition batters.
Over his career at Premier level, Perrin collected 205 wickets for his four clubs, Casey-South Melbourne, Dandenong, Fitzroy Doncaster and finally Prahran.
Perrin’s 205 scalps at Premier level came at an average of just 19.86, where he also collected eight five-wicket hauls.
He will help fill the void left by paceman Brendan Rose, who will make his return to Premier Cricket.
“We’re really conscience to have an even spread – we know what Perrin brings, and he’s a replacement in a way for Rosey – but more importantly off the field he’ll offer a lot for the young blokes,” Berwick vice-president and head of recruiting Andrew Mazzagatti told Star News.
“He’s really excited and keen.”
With the departure of Wookey Medal champion – leg-spinning all-rounder Ruwantha Kellepotha – also to Premier Cricket level, the Bears have signed prodigiously talented spinner Riley Siwes, who took 22 wickets at Turf 2 level for Dandenong West last season.
Siwes – the son of Westers great Greg – has also played a handful of lower level games for Dandenong.
Mazzagatti said the club was ecstatic to secure the youngster – bullish about what the young leggie can produce at the Bears.
“Riley Siwes, we obviously know the surname, his Dad (Greg) is a legend at Dandy West, so we’ve been speaking about him for a couple of years and about the potential to have a crack with us,” he said.
“We thought we’d ask him and ask him if he wanted to take that next step at local level – he’s excited and keen, not just to play, but he wants to take wickets – his attitude is magnificent.
“With Roey (Ruwantha Kellepotha) going, he’ll step into that role.
“But we feel he’s a long-term player for us, and who knows, he could captain one day – he’s 20, but played at a really high level.”
But more recently, the Bears announced the signing of reigning Mordialloc premiership skipper Damith Mapa Ralage, who has crossed over to the club for a new challenge.
Having guided the Bloodhounds to premiership success in the Cricket Southern Bayside competition last season, the champion keeper-batsman – who played a tick under 100 DDCA games with the club before the switch of competitions – is a serious addition to the Bears.
Mapa Ralage played in Turf 1 premierships for Mordi in 2014/15, 2016/17 and 2017/18 – the latter in which he scored a superb 63 not out to guide the Bloodhounds to premiership glory.
“We needed to strengthen our batting a little bit, and felt we needed some experience to fill that role, and Mapa does all that,” Mazzagatti said.
“He’s been a star at Mordi for eight years, winning about four flags, so we needed someone to stablise that middle order.
“We see him playing a big role, so we’re rapt to have him on board.
“For him, he just needed a change, a new challenge and somewhere closer for him.”
While Mapa Ralage is a champion gloveman, he’s unlikely to keep for the Bears.
“Never say never,” he said of Mapa Ralage’s chances of taking the gloves.
“But he offers a bit of off-spin so we’re looking to explore that, particularly in the two-day stuff.”
The Bears are still in talks with skipper Matthew Chasemore, with the hope the champion batsman re-signs with the club, but Mazzagatti said the club’s list was in good shape, with a strong mix of new recruits and stability already within their ranks.
“We always want to add talent, but as a club we’re conscious to keep local blokes, and give them opportunities,” he said.
“The mix is really good, keeping our local blokes and adding a bit more on top of it.”
