The departure of a number of young talents will not faze St Pat's Old Boys, as it looks to go one better after last season's grand final defeat.
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Saints have lost the likes of Ben Cant, Hugh Parsons and Hamish Siegert to ORC, while Tom Siede has moved to Centennials.
Yet last year's runners-up have welcomed Nic Broes into the squad, a man who was a weapon with the bat in his last full season with the club in 2018-19.
In that season he was the leading run scorer by some distance and he helped his junior club to its maiden first grade title.
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Saints skipper Adam Ryan admitted Broes will be a key inclusion to what should be a formidable batting line-up at the club.
"It's a big inclusion, massive," he said.
"I was only looking at the best players in Bathurst the past couple of years and he's on there with Connor Slattery. They're two key players within our side.
"And with Cooper Brien and Angus Parsons being another year older and with the rep stuff, they'll be playing a full season with us now, instead of part-time."
Ryan believes the loss of a number of youngsters will not be that bad, as he believes it will allow for more opportunities for other players.
"We've lost a couple, but it gives people more of an opportunity for other players," he said.
"It also strengthens the comp as a whole. I'm excited for those boys who have left too, for the opportunities they'll have."
The likes of Derryn Clayton and David Cant are expected to be able to play full-time, after playing part-time throughout the 2020-21 season.
Broes is the only player that has joined from another club, with any club debutants likely to be from lower grades.
Ryan said experience is likely to be a big bonus this year, especially after the grand final loss last season.
"Our battling line-up is probably our strength, only bowling is a bit understrength but that's okay," he said.
"I feel going into this season, we're a bit more balanced then when we were last season. I think the experience will be the big bonus.
"Everyone's had the extra year and the hurt of the grand final will feed the hunger of this year's team."
BOWLING
Mitch Taylor and Jack Goodsell were able to snag more than 50 wickets between them last season and with an extra season under their belt, Ryan expects them to get even better.
"Mitch and Jack, they've had another year to progress in their form, being young, fast bowlers it takes a little while for your body to develop. I'm really expecting them to have a great season," he said.
But the skipper also acknowledged the likes of Parsons, who he rates as the big improver of the pre-season.
"Angus, he's gone to a new level," he said.
"We've seen how well his brother Ben played before he left and Angus is definitely living up to that Parsons name. He's probably done the most work of any player in the off-season."
While more known for their batting Broes and Slattery are expected to cause a few issues, with both being economical spinners.
BATTING
Slattery was the leading batsman at the club last season with 464, for an average of 66.29, while second best was Andrew Brown with 401 for an average of 30.85.
Broes also brings two years of experience playing with Western Districts in ACT Premier Cricket, scoring 638 runs from 25 matches in that time, in the first grade competition.
But with a competitive line-up, Ryan admits it'll be tricky in deciding who gets a chance to bat.
"The hardest part is the bowlers that like batting will be cranky that they won't get a chance," he said.
"It's a good in the sense that they'll have to work for every wicket. There's no get through the first six and have a collapse. I'm hoping we'll have depth that will help in those close games."
THE FAVOURITES
Ryan couldn't go past Orange City as favourites, especially with the likes of Ed Morrish and Fletcher Rose.
He also acknowledged the strength of Rugby Union saying they'll "be up there as well".
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