Jack Lalor speaks about stepping up as Northcote Premier Cricket captain

The coming Premier Cricket season will be the Dragons star’s 10th at Bill Lawry Oval and he has meticulously risen to the top.

Lalor is no stranger to leadership, having captained the club’s T20 side the past two years while also serving as vice-captain under Josh Sundberg on Saturdays.

It’s an honour he’s aspired to for some time.

“It’s something I’ve always aspired to do, starting at Northcote at a young age,” Lalor said.

“Getting it, it’s something I definitely won’t take for granted and once in the role do the best job I can.

“This is my 10th year, I’ve been led by Steven Taylor, Blayde Baker and Josh Sundberg.

“All three of those boys have had a big impact on me as a person and as a cricketer, I’ll try to take something I’ve learnt from each one of them.

“I think the time is right, we’ve got a young group, so I’m excited to lead and believe we can exceed expectations.”

Lalor has been Northcote’s star in recent years.

The reigning club champion and First XI MVP is a two-time Premier Cricket Team of the Year selection.

The gun all-rounder led the Dragons with 549 runs last season, at an average of 39.21, while also taking 14 wickets.

Leading Northcote’s T20 campaign the past two seasons has been eye opening.

“It was good exposure, T20 cricket I find quite challenging because it’s such a high pace,” Lalor said.

“And because I do all three – bat, bowl and field – it’s a challenge but getting that exposure in that format will be beneficial for me.”

Sundberg will remain as a player, while Lalor will be supported by former South Australia Sheffield Shield spinner Joe Medew-Ewen as vice-captain.

Northcote has also picked up Englishman Jordan Thompson for the coming season.

The Yorkshire man has a strong T20 resume having played Big Bash League (Hobart Hurricanes), Pakistan Super League (Karachi Kings), International League T20 (MI Emirates) and England’s the Hundred.

Lalor believed the Dragons had a good mix of youth and experience.

Tearan Gleeson enjoyed a breakout season with 448 runs at 34.46, while Aaron Crispe (344), Will Blair (277) and Max Mikedis (190) also showed promise.

Medew-Ewen led the bowling attack with 24 wickets, while boom off-season recruit Jackson Smith finished with 21 and Sam Harbinson 18.

“We’ve got a good mix, there’s four or five under the age of 23 or 24 that all did really well last year,” Lalor said.

“Then we’ve got a couple of guys on the older end, like Josh, Crispy and Harbo, so I think it’s good to have a balance like that.

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“The young boys bring the energy, which the older guys feed off.

“I’ll be backing in Gleeso, he did very well and had his best season in the Ones, and I reckon Will Blair will have a big season.

“Will had a great debut season, played every game, and he’s been up in the Northern Territory as well so he’ll be back and ready to fire.”

Northcote will kick off its Premier Cricket season when it hosts Carlton at Bill Lawry Oval on October 4.

Originally published as Jack Lalor speaks about stepping up as Northcote Premier Cricket captain