ADCA 2024-25: Royals premiership captain Mitch Green bullish on young side in bid to have more A-grade success

Royals premiership captain Mitch Green believes his side still boasts a premiership-calibre side despite losing two top-order batsmen and an opening bowler ahead of the new season. The Lions have made their last four grand finals and are entering the 2024-25 Albany and Districts Cricket A-grade season as the defending premiers after a superb run-chase in last season’s grand final against Mt Barker, which was spearhead by Ted Batchelor. However, the Lions must contend without their premiership hero, as well as talented English all-rounder Rhys Lewis and emerging quick Teague Valli. WA Country XI opening batter Lincoln Joy is expected to miss the opening few rounds of the season as he recovers from a knee surgery. The Lions have secured the signing of right arm fast bowler Daniel Thomas who will play a key role with the ball and excitement factor with the bat. Despite the big-name omissions, Green is bullish on his young side who he believes still have plenty of potential. “We’ve always been a pretty young group over the last four years, and that group’s maturing now,” he said. “There’s still plenty of plenty of youth in Ryley Valley, Angus Thompson and Matthew Thompson, that will take us forward, and they’ll continue to get better. “They’ve played bits-and-pieces roles for the last three or four years, but it’s now their time to take it on and play a lead role in our side. “We’ve been reasonably successful in the last four years, and we’ll try and do the exact same thing again this year.” Green insisted his side must improve their consistency if they’re to challenge for back-to-back flags. “We just have to have consistency with our cricket, so playing good, hard cricket for the whole 50 overs,” Green said. “I think being a young side we’ve had lapses throughout every game, whether that’s only batting 20 to 30 overs or having collapses in the middle order, we’ve always been a bit perennial for that. “So just trying to build consistency, and I think that’ll come naturally with the growth of some of those younger guys, that’s really where we’re trying to improve on this year.” The Lions title defence starts with a stirring grand final rematch with the Bulls at Turf North on Saturday. Captain: Mitch Green Last season: Premiers Most runs: Matt France (452) Most wickets: Matt Thompson (26) Inclusions: Daniel Thomas (Mundaring) Omissions: Ted Batchelor and Rhys Lewis (both England), Teague Valli (injured)