SECA 2025-26: Finals game-changers named

The talking is done and the real business begins on Saturday when the South East Cricket Association finals get underway.

In the Longmuir, Woolnough, Quiney and Pullen shields, we’ve named the players capable of changing matches in a session — the genuine difference-makers in this year’s premiership race.

LONGMUIR SHIELD

Matthew Blunden, East Sandringham

Dynamite on anything short, the gun opener made a late start this season but has more than made up for lost time, blasting 113, 62, 101 and 83 since Christmas. Is averaging a tick under 90.

Matthew Blunden hits out for East Sandringham. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Campbell James, Bentleigh Uniting

The gun opener has compiled 535 runs at 53.5, including 104no, 90 and 77. Patience, class and an appetite for runs.

Malin Silva, Bentleigh Uniting

Another tremendous season by the champion leg-spinner. He leads the competition in wickets with 26, at 11.77. And always good for some quick runs in the lower order. He went up a gear in last season’s finals.

Buddhika De Alwis, Bentleigh Uniting

The talented left-arm spinner is hard to look past as one of the biggest threats heading into finals. Has taken 16 wickets at 15.56 and has been in solid form with the bat in the middle order with a couple of 40s recently.

Oshan De Silva, Le Page Park

Bowls straight and fast, and can dismantle an opposition’s batting order — as he did when he grabbed 7-30 against West Bentleigh in January.

Oshan De Silva. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Matt Harris, East Sandringham

The skipper peeled off a superb century in January after moving himself from the top of the order to No. 4. Hammers the short ball. Has racked up 439 runs at a tick under 40.

Austin Heldt, West Bentleigh

The sweet-timing left hander is a key figure at the top of the order. With Premier Cricket experience, he is capable of scoring big, as he showed with 110no and 105no this season.

Jordan Hesline, East Sandringham

Enters the finals in cracking form after bagging 7-68. Quality leg spinner who applies constant pressure – and loves a celebration. Very handy with the bat too.

Steve McConchie, Le Page Park

One half of a quality opening combination with Ky Rabadi. The right-hander combines sound defence with controlled aggression. Goes into the finals with 366 runs at 40.

Steve McConchie. Picture: Josie Hayden

Jayce Morgan, West Bentleigh

The star all-rounder has had another excellent season, making 290 runs and taking 25 wickets. Will lead from the front in finals.

Jack Munnings, East Sandringham

The reliable opener regularly gets his side off to a strong start. Goes into the finals in good nick following scores of 94 and 46.

Jack Munnings plays a straight bat for East Sandy. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Ky Rabadi, Le Page Park

Been a model of consistency at the top of the order with four half centuries and 387 runs at 43. The clean hitting left hander drives, cuts and will use his feet to the spinners.

Afan Sheriff, West Bentleigh

They stay hit when he launches. Averaging over 40 with the bat, while his medium pace bowling is sure to be a key in finals.

WOOLNOUGH SHIELD

Matt Balmer (Cluden) 

A patient batsman who can hold together the Cluden innings, Balmer has enjoyed a fine season with the bat, hitting a pair of half centuries. He’s scored 36 or more in four of his last six innings, but has failed to get past 49 in that time – a marker he’ll be looking to improve upon come finals.

Jesse Barker (Elwood)

Barker’s tremendous impact in Elwood has continued into his second season at the club. The reigning club champion, who is also Elwood’s head coach, will be crucial as Elwood looks to jump into the Longmuir Shield. He leads all bowlers with 31 wickets at an average of 11.55, and has also hit 433 runs. Outstanding stuff from the gun all-rounder. 433 at 48.11. 31 wickets at 11.55. Leading wicket taker gun all rounder.

James Cooke (Mackie) 

Cooke will be out to rediscover his early season form for Mackie, when he opened the season with 132 against Hampton Central and then 83 just weeks later – his two highest scores this season. Regardless, Cooke has been a picture of consistency all season – only dismissed below 20 on two occasions – and it’s that consistency that could hold his side’s batting innings together with a premiership on the line. In total, he’s already struck 662 runs and is averaging 73.6.

Nathan Knights (Elwood)

Knights will be looking to rediscover his early season form when he surpassed 40 on four occasions from his first five digs, including a blistering unbeaten 119 off 49 balls against possible finals opponent Mackie. Has struck 395 runs and is averaging 43.89 this season.

Mark McLean (Cluden)

The left-arm orthodox bowler has been in fine form this season with the ball, taking 26 wickets. Also a handy bat who has struck a half century this season and is averaging above 30.

Finnegan O’Donnell (Mackie)

A damaging opening bowler who attacks the stumps, O’Donnell can rip games open. He’s taken two five-wicket hauls this season and has 27 wickets under his belt at an average of 16.85.

Kane O’Toole (Omega)

O’Toole couldn’t be in better form leading into Omega’s finals campaign after he struck a matchwinning 131 not out to sink Mackie and secure Omega the coveted double chance. Finished the home and away season with 449 runs at an average 49.89.

Kane O’Toole raises his bat after reaching a century. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Brodie Pedder (Omega)

A reliable opening bowler who can shape it well and puts it in a good area, Pedder has taken 27 wickets to date this season and is averaging 16.33 with the ball. He’s taken a wicket in every game bar one this season and will be crucial to getting Omega’s bowling innings off to a strong start.

QUINEY SHIELD

Mark Bell (Hampton United)

The all-rounder has enjoyed a strong season with both bat and ball for Hampton United. He’s taken 19 wickets with the new ball, and has also plundered 330 runs with three half centuries.

Jobe Carlyle (Le Page Park)

The talented batsman, who is still an under-18, has worked into the season at senior level and is hitting his straps at the right time, with three half centuries from his last four senior hits. This season the opener has struck 383 runs at 34.2 in the Quiney Shield.

Anthony D’Amico (Omega) 

D’Amico heads into finals with his tail up, having taken 10 wickets in his past two outings. He’s taken 21 wickets at a very respectable average of 14.81 for the Omega seconds this season, and took a two-for in his one-off game for the Omega First XI this season.

Hugo Ferdinand (Bentleigh Uniting)

Ferdinand is an incredibly rich vein of form, fresh off an eight-wicket haul for Bentleigh Uniting’s Quiney Shield side against Washington Park. He shapes the ball well and has enjoyed great success targeting the stumps.

Nick Freeman (Hampton United)

Freeman has been in cracking form with the bat all season and will be crucial to Hampton United’s finals hopes. He’s been uber-consistent, scoring below 39 just twice, and is averaging 67.43 with 472 runs to his name.

Tate Gramaconi (Le Page Park)

A consistent scalp-taker who has only gone one game without a wicket, the left-arm orthodox bowler can be tough to get away and bowls in a good area. Already has 17 wickets this season.

Trent Thompson (Hampton United)

The plucky medium-pace bowler leads all comers with an impressive 25 wickets in the Quiney Shield and a bowling average of 17.64. He also enters the finals in prime wicket-taking form, fresh off a five-wicket haul against Le Page Park.

James Tulley (Omega)

Tulley has enjoyed a fine Quiney Shield season to date, averaging 68.4 with the bat with 86 and an 88 among his last three scores at the level. Has also played three games for the Omega firsts in the Woolnough Shield this season.

Harry Zaia (Bentleigh Uniting)

Zaia will be looking to emulate the form of his early season century when he struck 100 off just 56 balls. In total, he’s got 326 runs at 32.6 and will be pivotal to Bentleigh Uniting’s hopes as their leading Quiney Shield run-scorer.

PULLEN SHIELD

James Blenkinsop, Mackie

The seamer has captured bags of six, five, four and three this season; attacks the stumps, asks questions of batsmen.

Liam Brotz, Kingston Heath

Has a knack of taking multiple wickets with his left-arm mediums while he’s always good for quick runs with the bat late in the innings.

Marcus Cope, Elwood

The right-handed No. 3 possesses a good technique and excellent concentration, as he showed in making 140 against Kingston Heath last week. With 363 runs at 40, he’s a key player in finals.

Damien Krotofil, Mackie

The explosive opener likes to set the tone early; has all shots and likes to play them. Loads of experience, too.

Tim Lawson, Kingston Heath

The hard-hitting left-hander can accumulate runs fast, as he did when he blasted 125 off 106 balls (with 6 sixes) against Cluden this season. Has racked up 323 runs at 40.

Yogesh Mal, Mackie

Provides serious batting firepower in the middle order with his ability to find the boundary and beyond; has racked up 431 runs at 53.

Lachlan McCluskey, Cluden

Began the season with a brisk century and warmed up for finals with a knock of 60 last week. Hits the ball cleanly, likes to drive and even has the reverse sweep in his repertoire.

Anthony Reid, Kingston Heath

Has played sparingly this season but still managed to nab 13 wickets at 16 with his crafty offies. Can play a big role in finals.

Joseph Spicuglia, Cluden

Enters finals in red hot form following 104 not against Brighton Union, his second unbeaten century this season (he also made 111no against Kingston Heath). The skipper values his wicket at the top of the order, and will pounce on anything short outside off stump.

Daniel Warden, Cluden

The wickets (23 at 15 apiece) have been plentiful for the off spinner, who applies constant pressure. Will be suited to finals.