Grampians Cricket Association competition returns tomorrow.
GCA - As we paused for the Christmas break I thought I'd review each team and identify who I think their key players are.
Firstly, Swifts/Great Western - 50 points: Have gained maximum points from every game they have played, and at the moment appear unstoppable, but as we know cricket is a funny game, and at some stage they will be seriously challenged.
How they meet this challenge will indicate their strengths. Having lost only 22 wickets for the season while taking 70 indicates the strength of their bowling.
This, with their batting depth, gives them their number one ranking.
Key Player: Tom McCord has taken 14 wickets in four matches, and gives variation to the attack.
Tatyoon - 31 points: Losses to Swifts/Great Western and Buangor and a draw against Pomonal see them well behind the leader and will battle with Youth Club for second spot.
So far they have struggled with the bat, with only Jarrod Blandford showing any consistency.
Tim McDougall and John Coghlan are the main strike bowlers with 27 wickets between them.
Key Player: Nathan O'Brien, returning to the club, may be able to score the extra runs that their bowlers need to dismiss the opposition for wins.
Youth Club - 30 points: Have redeemed themselves after a poor start to the season with a series of good wins.
They have mainly relied on Steve Le Gassick (19 wickets) and Zac Marrow (207 runs) for these wins. Both these players will require help if the club is to achieve in the finals.
The round 10 match against Tatyoon will reveal a lot about both clubs. Key Player: Jamie Solyom couldn't buy a run early in the season, but an eighty odd against Aradale may have seen him turn the corner.
Buangor - 24 points: Starting to get a side together after an indifferent start to the season.
Wins against Tatyoon and losses against Aradale have been the highs and lows of a spasmodic season.
Harry Ganley and Jack Fraser had a day out last round - this form needs to be maintained and together with contributions from Shaun Allen and young Chris Jerram, Buangor should be able to post winning scores.
Key Player: Jack Fraser needs to maintain his form of 181 runs together with six wickets, to ensure that the club makes finals.
St Andrews - 18 points: Started the season with a bang, being second after the first three rounds but have not recorded a win since.
Have to front up to Swifts/Great Western, then have a relatively easy run home which might see them sneak into the finals.
Young Matt North is carrying St Andrews at the moment with 202 runs and nine wickets.
Key Player: Matthew North needs to continue to make runs and take wickets if the Saints are to make the finals.
Pomonal - 15 points: Like Aradale, Pomonal can still statistically make a finals appearance, but the odds are against them.
Have continued to team build but have trouble putting in consistent performances with both bat and ball. Have the worst percentage of all the teams.
Key Player: Nick Maddison, a talented player who needs to lead from the front. If he can achieve this, Pomonal will be a chance for some late season victories.
Aradale - 12 points: Top order batting problems have hindered Aradale from challenging most teams.
The batting failures have left the bowlers with impossible tasks and leaving the team open to outright defeats.
Have some exiting young prospects in Mitch and Tyler Cronin together with honest performers in Brent Tate and Matt Baldock.
Key Player: Mathew Stasse. Has the ability with the ball to be a strike bowler and if he can control his aggression, make a useful contribution with the bat.