Sport
12 June, 2026
Place to again lead div one
PREPARATIONS are underway for the 2026/27 cricket season, with Pomborneit reappointing Grant Place as division one captain.
Place returned to the role for a second stint in 2025/26, leading the Bulls to a semi-final finish in the inaugural season of the Colac-South West premier competition.
Place had an earlier five season stint in the role from 2018/19 to 2022/23, leading Pomborneit to three premierships and two semi-final appearances.
“The Colac-South West competition was fantastic last year; our best cricket was right up there in that comp,” Place said.
“I’m keen to keep driving our group forward, I believe we have plenty of upside.”
The Bulls have lost all-rounder and former captain Matt Bignell, who has gone to coach Warrnambool Moyne District club Wangoom, but Place is confident Pomborneit has young talent ready to step up.
“Biggers (Bignell) has been a great contributor and leader, so he’ll be missed.
“We haven’t really looked at recruiting as our younger players are definitely ready for more opportunity, with the likes of Fletcher Tolland, who has had two strong seasons at division two level and has had a taste of the top grade, and Ben Whytcross who has been a dominant junior and showed plenty in both division one and two.
“There’s several others as well who’ll get their opportunity with good division two form.”
Pomborneit’s two finals appearances last season saw a strong win over Heytesbury and a tight loss to Colac.
“We were impressed with how well drilled the likes of Colac were.
“We feel match preparation and training are areas that we can take it up a notch and be even more professional.”
The Bulls have released their pre-season training dates with nine Wednesday night sessions across August and September, seven of those at the newly opened indoor facility at Colac’s Eastern Reserve.
“We’ve done our most recent pre-seasons in Warrnambool and Mortlake, so it will be nice to see how the new facilities in Colac go.
“We will start slightly earlier this year to make sure we put in all the work we need before round one.”
Pomborneit president Dave Murphy said it was an easy decision to reappoint the three-time premiership skipper.
“Grant is a strong leader with plenty of passion.
“While we are looking at succession planning with our top grade team and the leadership of that team, Grant’s record stands up against any of our modern day captains and he’s the perfect man to be in charge with the success he’s had as we look to continue to contend while also giving opportunities to our many good young players coming through.”
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