Maroochydore won last year’s local cricket title without a ball being bowled in the grand final, so they’re determined to prove a point in this year’s decider.
The Swans will collide with Caboolture in a three-day clash, to see who reigns supreme in the Sunshine Coast A-grade competition.
They were scheduled to meet in the 2020 final, but it was cancelled due to the impacts of COVID-19 and Maroochydore were essentially gifted the trophy for the first time in 12 years because they finished higher on the ladder than their opponents.
Maroochydore coach Wayne Anderson said they now want to justify their title claims.
“We’ve got a point to prove.”
“We believe we are the best team in the competition, and this is the chance to show it.
“Caboolture are never easy to beat because they’ve got a couple of quality players, but we believe we can beat them and that we’re the best team.
“This is our chance to prove it once and for all.”
Anderson said the Swans were becoming a force on the local cricket scene.
“We’ve been building our team for the last three or four years,” he said.
“A few years ago, there was a big change, when we went to a youth policy and it is now paying dividends.”
He estimated the average age of the team would be in the low 20s.
Maroochydore finished this summer’s eight-team regular season in second place before toppling third-placed Tewantin-Noosa in the semi-finals while fourth-placed Caboolture upset minor premiers Glasshouse to claim their spot in the grand-final.
The Swans are led by a strong bowling unit.
Luke McInnes is the competition’s leading wicket taker, with 39 scalps at a staggering average of 8.28.
“We’re bowling teams our cheaply most of the time,” Anderson said.
“We need our batsman to step up in the grand final and bat for long periods.”
They have a handy batsman in Zak Wilcox, who has scored 387 runs at an average of 55.
But Anderson is wary of the Snakes, who have won 12 of the past 20 premierships.
“They’re not as strong as they were during the previous 10 years because they’ve lost some experienced players (but) they have Glen Batticciotto, who is an outstanding player and anytime you get his wicket it lifts you big time,” he said.
The Snakes also boast Mat Schubert, the competition’s top scorer, with 505 runs at 56.
The Swans will play at home and need only a draw to claim the premiership, due to their higher standing in the ladder. But with clear weather expected, a first innings result should be on the cards.
The match will be contested at Kev Hackney Oval, Buderim, on Saturday and Sunday (10am-5pm) and next Saturday (10am-5pm).
