Sport
14 November, 2025
In-form Laane travel to play Carisbrook
Laanecoorie Dunolly can place itself on the precipice of qualifying for their fifth consecutive one-day grand final on Saturday when they take on Carisbrook at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve.
With the second-placed Colts Phelans facing Maryborough, who sit in third, the reigning one-day premiers could potentially move 18 points clear of third with three games left in the one-day season if they grab a win on Saturday.
While the results haven’t been entirely forthcoming, the last fortnight has brought about many positive outcomes for Laane’s upcoming opponent, Carisbrook, sporadically showcasing the form that carried them to last season’s Grand Final.
After ranking last in runs scored in 2024/25 despite facing the most overs, Carisbrook has taken notable strides with the bat this season, thanks to valuable depth emerging.
William Coutts in particular has been outstanding in the opening six rounds, providing top-order stability with his reliable ground strokes and quick running as he currently boasts an average above 50.
Dean Nalder, who finished fourth in the competition’s run scoring charts last season with an average of 45, has maintained his elite level, while players like Jordan Hooper and Martin Mark are already nearing their season total from the previous campaign with impressive starts to 2025/26.
While scoring at a slightly quicker rate would be ideal, especially in the one-day format, the fundamental issue surrounding Carisbrook at present is its inability to break up partnerships consistently.
They currently rank last in wickets taken this season with 30, 14 wickets behind their closest counterparts in Beaufort and Clunes.
That problem was on full display in Carisbrook’s round two defeat to Laane, with an unbeaten 111 from reigning Ken Gibbs medallist Tom Hannett guiding Laane to a final total of 237.
Hannett isn’t the only dangerous bat Carisbrook will attempt to contain, with league-leading run scorer Nafis Shaikh and fellow recruit Josh Fitzpatrick looking threatening to score a big total following impressive outings to begin the season.
Carisbrook’s in-form batting lineup will also be put to the test against Laane’s new-look bowling attack, which remains as potent as ever despite the new faces.
With Alex Cook, Sam Bartlett and Joe Lovel still firing on all cylinders, the trio of Fitzpatrick, Shaikh and Will Chamings leaves Laane with several poisonous options at their disposal.