Sport
10 October, 2025
MDCA 2025-26 Season Preview — Laanecoorie Dunolly
It’s almost unheard of for a season that included a premiership triumph to be classed as disappointing.
As they entered the finals after claiming their fourth consecutive one-day title and an astonishing 60-game winning streak under their belt, it seemed destined that Laanecoorie Dunolly’s would complete a six-peat of A grade premierships last season.
However, Carisbrook ripped that notion to shreds, giving Laane their first taste of defeat in over three years in a historic semi-final upset.
Despite last season’s severe let-down, A grade coach Matthew Smith said the group is determined to regroup and return to their dominant best.
“While it was disappointing to bow out in the semi-final, it’s important to remember how dominant we had been throughout the season. Going through undefeated, winning the one-day final, and not having lost a match since 21 November 2021 is something the playing group can be very proud of. It was a phenomenal run,” he said.
“I’ve always said to the group that 30 minutes of poor cricket can be the difference between winning and losing, and unfortunately, that rang true in the semi-final. But we also talk about how if you’re not learning, you’re losing. The lessons we’ve taken from that game will hold us in good stead moving forward.
“The players are hungry to make amends for last season and are highly motivated to ensure we’re once again the team to beat in the MDCA this year. We haven’t stood still and licked our wounds — we’ve been busy in the off-season working hard to get better.”
Those words have rung true in another aggressive recruiting class for Laane, especially with 2024 MDCA Team of the Year member and one-day Grand Final Best on Ground Kamaljot Romana not returning this season and strike bowler Daniel Romeo also departing.
The club has announced the signings of UK teenager Josh Fitzpatrick, fellow UK import Nafis Shaikh and Canadian all-rounder Ayaz Sahibi, three players Smith said are ready to make a big difference.
“Fitzpatrick is a young all-rounder who is very competent with both bat and ball. We believe he’ll have a big say in the outcome of games and expect him to be right up there among the leading run scorers and wicket-takers this season,” he said.
“Sahibi is playing the same standard of cricket that previous players like Samit Gohil and Romana are playing, so we know exactly the quality of player we’re bringing in. He’s recently represented his country in a U/19 World Cup qualifier, which shows the talent he has.
“Shaikh is all class. He’s a top-order batsman who makes runs for fun overseas. His consistency and ability to build big scores made recruiting him a no-brainer.”
The trio will add to an already exceptional core consisting of reigning Ken Gibbs Medal winner Tom Hannett, who led the MDCA with a stunning 548 runs last season, and the returning Alex Cook, who finished in the top five in runs scored and wickets taken during the 2024/25 campaign.
Even with a plethora of star power, Smith said it will take the entire team for Laanecoorie Dunolly to return to the mountain top.
“We honestly feel like we’ve got a team full of key players. We’re very much a system-based side with clear roles and responsibilities, and we really lean on each other to play those roles and provide support. If we win, we like to think it’s because everyone has contributed and done their job,” he said.
“We understand that cricket is a game of moments and momentum. For a long, sustained period now, we’ve shown that often we’re able to make the most of those key moments, and that has been a big part of our success.”