Herald Sun: The full rundown: SECA signings, switches and coaching appointments

Sarah Radlow
Jun 10
6 min read

Signings, appointments and off-season buzz — South East Cricket Association clubs are making moves ahead of 2026-27. See the club-by-club wrap.

It has been a lively off-season across the South East Cricket Association, as clubs scramble to secure talent, finalise key coaching positions, and piece together line-ups primed for 2026-27.

RISING TO NEW HEIGHTS

Omega

After claiming the Woolnough Shield flag — and the Champion Club award — last season, Omega step up to the Longmuir Shield in 2026-27 with genuine momentum. They have wasted no time preparing for the top tier, appointing Joel Wylie as head coach for the new season.

Wylie is a former Premier Cricket fast bowler at Frankston Peninsula with more than a decade of coaching experience across club and representative cricket. He has previously coached Tyabb in the Mornington Peninsula association and Casey Cardinia club Devon Meadows. His connection to Omega runs deep — his father, former club president Marty Wylie, brought Joel to Bricker Reserve as a boy, and Joel even turned out for the 2nd XI during breaks from Premier Cricket.

To strengthen their batting stocks for life in the top tier, Omega have also signed top-order batter Luke Healy, who makes the move from West Bentleigh after a successful stint in their top order.

Joel Wylie bowling for Frankston Peninsula.

PREMIERS PROTECT THEIR TITLE

East Sandringham

The reigning Longmuir Shield premiers — who went undefeated in their final nine matches to claim the club’s 20th premiership and first in five seasons — have moved swiftly to protect their title with a revamped leadership structure.

Head coach Shane Hesline will focus on the club’s development squad and junior coaches, while continuing to support the senior leadership group. Jack Simpson, following a successful debut season behind the stumps, has stepped into the coaching group as assistant coach, taking responsibility for fielding drills and working with the club’s junior keepers. On-field leaders Matt “Jiff” Harris and vice-captain Jordan “Sauce” Hesline have both re-committed for 2026-27 and will continue to set the standards and culture within the senior group.

East Sandringham celebrates winning the 2025-26 SECA Longmuir Shield premiership. Picture: East Sandringham CC/Diggle Photography.

EXPERIENCE DRIVES LE PAGE

Le Page Park

The Panthers have locked in five of their most important figures ahead of 2026-27. Champion fast bowler Oshan De Silva — the club’s all-time leading wicket taker and a six-time SECA Team of the Year selection, a club record — has signed on for his 15th season at the club. A crowd favourite and genuine legend of the competition.

Pete Mentiplay returns to the captaincy of the Longmuir Shield side (replacing Andrew Trease) after spending much of 2025 working and travelling in Western Australia, while club legend Steve McConchie recommits as Director of Coaching, bringing his wealth of experience and a splendid record with the bat to guide the club’s emerging talent.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Lachie Carroll also re-signs after his best individual season in the firsts — averaging 30 in the middle order while continuing his excellent work behind the stumps. Carroll also captains the T20 side. Left-arm paceman Jacob Apted has also re-signed.

Oshan De Silva lets fly for Le Page Park. Picture: Valeriu Campan

REBUILDING AFTER THE DROP

Kingston Heath

The Kookaburras, after being relegated, have quietly assembled a well-rounded group for 2026-27. Wicketkeeper-batter Lakshina Rodrigo has re-signed after a solid season that featured immaculate glovework and a brilliant 117-run knock in round 11. Experienced bowling all-rounder Tom Grech returns for another season after three consecutive years among the Longmuir Shield’s top 10 wicket takers, including back-to-back 1st XI bowling awards.

Club champion Andrew Birt — fresh off life membership and the club champion award — also re-signs after contributing 348 runs and 14 wickets last season. Tom Richards, a key figure in the first XI bowling attack, recommits for the new campaign.

THREE PILLARS RETURN

Washington Park

The Sharks have confirmed the return of three pillars. Leading wicket taker Luke Foley, star all-rounder Kasun Niranjana and first XI opener Tim Oaten will be back in green and gold for another season.

FRESH FACES LEAD WAY

Brighton Union

The Hoops enter the new season under fresh leadership off the field. Matt Young has been elected as the club’s new president, with Robert Blair and John Donohoe joining him as vice presidents. The new executive group has the full backing of the committee and playing group as the club looks to build toward a competitive 2026-27 campaign.

TWO CLUBS BECOME ONE

The most significant structural change of the off-season is the amalgamation of West Bentleigh and Hampton United. West Bentleigh reached the Longmuir Shield finals last season — though the departure of Jayce Morgan, Luke Healy, Josh Shawel, Afan Sheriff and Riley Morgan to other clubs means the new side faces the challenge of rebuilding its playing stocks.

EXPLOSIVE RECRUIT JOINS ANA

Bentleigh ANA

The Natives have bolstered their top order with the signing of Phillip-Vincent Falvo from rivals Brighton Union. An explosive batsman, Falvo hammered 100 off 91 balls — including eight sixes — against ANA last season. He arrives as a player opposition attacks will need to plan carefully for.

Jayce Morgan. Picture: Valeriu Campan

MORGAN SIGNING SPARKS AMBITION

Bentleigh Uniting

The Lions have made the boldest move of the off-season, securing star all-rounder Jayce Morgan from rivals West Bentleigh. Morgan captained the Bulldogs for several years and arrives at Centenary Park more than a decade after playing juniors at the club. His 2025-26 numbers speak for themselves — 412 runs at 37.45 and 25 wickets at an economy of 4.31, earning yet another Longmuir Shield Team of the Year selection. For a club that has contested the past two grand finals, this is a statement signing.

Morgan’s younger brother Riley Morgan also crosses from West Bentleigh, having made his Longmuir Shield debut last season. Ryan Pappin, who cracked a century (122) in sub-district cricket at Moorabbin, completes an impressive trio of recruits.

Retained spin twins Malin Silva and Buddhika De Alwis further bolster the line-up. Silva was the competition’s standout performer last season, claiming both a Team of the Year berth and the Longmuir Shield Champion Player award. De Alwis remains one of the competition’s most dependable all-rounders as a left-arm spinner and top-order batter.

Off the field, Lukas Galanopoulos returns for a third season as head coach. He is joined by club legend Peter “Monkey” Milner as assistant coach, and specialist coach Michael Cove, who brings professional coaching experience from clubs in Australia and overseas. Bentleigh Uniting look primed for another deep finals run.

Afan Sheriff. Picture: Valeriu Campan

SHERIFF LEADS CHAG CHARGE

Chelsea Heights Aspendale Gardens

CHAG have landed a marquee signing in Afan Sheriff, who takes on the 1st XI captaincy. A first-class cricketer and Longmuir Shield Player of the Year, Sheriff is a genuine game-changer. CHAG have also signed West Bentleigh premiership wicket-keeper Josh Shawel, who brings elite glovework to the club for 2026-27. A Woolnough premiership medal winner and Liverpool CC title winner, Shawel has led competition dismissals in two of the past three seasons.

Key Moves:

Bentleigh Uniting

IN: Jayce Morgan (West Bentleigh), Riley Morgan (West Bentleigh), Ryan Pappin (Moorabbin)

RETAINED: Malin Silva, Buddhika De Alwis

COACHING: Lukas Galanopoulos (Head Coach, 3rd season), Peter “Monkey” Milner (Assistant Coach), Michael Cove (Specialist Coach)

East Sandringham

RETAINED: Matt “Jiff” Harris (Captain), Jordan “Sauce” Hesline (Vice-Captain)

COACHING: Shane Hesline (Head Coach), Jack Simpson (Assistant Coach, new role)

Le Page Park

RETAINED: Oshan De Silva (Season 15), Pete Mentiplay (returns as Longmuir Shield Captain), Steve McConchie (Director of Coaching), Lachie Carroll (Wicketkeeper, T20 Captain)

Washington Park

RETAINED: Luke Foley (Leading Wicket Taker), Kasun Niranjana (all-rounder), Tim Oaten (Opener)

Brighton Union

OUT: Phillip-Vincent Falvo (to Bentleigh ANA)

ADMINISTRATION: Matt Young (New President), Robert Blair and John Donohoe (Vice-Presidents)

Bentleigh ANA

IN: Phillip-Vincent Falvo (Brighton Union)

West Bentleigh / Hampton United

OUT: Jayce Morgan (to Bentleigh Uniting), Riley Morgan (to Bentleigh Uniting), Luke Healy (to Omega)

Omega

IN: Luke Healy (West Bentleigh)

COACHING: Joel Wylie (Head Coach, new appointment)