Allstarticle 1: Stars by no means dyer for S12

[FONT=&quot]Allstarticle: Stars by no means dyer for S12[/FONT]
By HG Emm

[FONT=&quot]After a successful return to the cricsim ranks in season 11, the Allstars will be looking to affirm their reputation as one of the class acts of the competition with a strong showing in season 12.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]However it hasn’t been all cocaine and waffles after just falling short of the S11 BS title for the stars. They’ve lost some key players, many unexpectedly. Whilst Recruitment hasn’t struggled, it is apparent that some of the hype around the returning legends has died down. This, along with declining member activity and some key Allstar names moving on to stickier pastures, is seeing a little bit of a shift in the clubs image.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]We caught up with some of the stars bigger names to get their thoughts on the where the clubs at now and where it’s heading into the future.


Allstars president AD Funkotron:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Thanks for sitting down with us Funky, as a foundation star and now president you've seen it all. How do you think the stars will fare in season 12? Do you feel you're in a stronger position than this time last season?[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
We've lost some good players in Bedsey, Athers and the like. On paper we definitely look a bit weaker than last season. This time though, we'll get to see players who have been waiting for their chance finally start to evolve. Players like Howe, Himann etc. I'd say it's pretty exciting. We just have to believe - We've got to hold on, to what we've got, it doesn't make a difference if we make it or not, we've got each other and that's a lot, for love - we'll give it a shot.


There's no arguing that activity is down, names like downpipes and armstrong haven't been seen around the traps much and Farnsworth still hasn't re signed. Is there any chance that the stars are headed down a similar path to the last time they were in the BS where they ultimately disbanded?
I don't think so. I don't think we are much different from a lot of the other sides, except maybe the Pumas and the Vipers. Once the season starts up again, I think activity will improve.


Who's the star to watch in season 12?
Heath is on fire. He's in the top 10 bowlers already, and he's still hungry for more. Howe is another who is climbing the ranks pretty quickly, I'm excited to see what he can do with the ball. I like to watch myself in the mirror too.[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]Frontline paceman HT Davis[/FONT]:

[FONT=&quot]Welcome to the chair Heef, a good year last season for the stars, how you found life as a star?[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
Enjoyable. Some of the guys can be a bit quiet at times off the field, but we have a core of guys who are able to entertain both on and off the field.


Despite your home track being the envy of most city councils, your season 11 stats are hard to argue with. Are you expecting the same again in season 12? Can we expect any changes to the pitch?
I would expect the pitch to change a fair bit. The groundsman has been flogged round the park a few times for producing a pitch last season that was simply too easy for good batsmen to bat on. We'll be looking for something a bit more balanced this year with a bit to suit the quicks and with something in there for our spin duo of Emm and Bradford.


There was quite a bit of buzz surrounding the stars heading into season 11, how are you and the guys finding it this off season without names like Dempsey, Farnsworth and Heads?
Not much has changed, to be honest. Farnsworth shut himself away like a hermit for the majority of last season, and in fact hasn't been seen for quite some time. Dempsey and Heads are significant losses for us, but behind the sticks we have O'Driscoll who will be more than able to make the step up to Bannerman Shield cricket and Chris Raftery has been working on his glovemanship and will take up the vacant keeping position in the ALC.


Where do you predict the stars to finish in S12?
Much will depend on the club's elder statesmen in terms of batting. If Leumas Himann can fulfil his potential then a top 3 finish isn't out of the question. However, I think we're destined for 3rd or 4th.[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]The one of which the prophesy foretold LV Himannv:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]

[/FONT][FONT=&quot]A good debut season for you Himannv, on the back of it can we expect to see you lining up in the Bannerman Shield come round 1?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Yeah, I had a fairly good time with the bat on my debut season and managed to be among the leading run scorers in the second division for Season 11. The departures of players like Heads and Downes opens up a slot at the top of the batting order, and I hope I can perform well enough to nail down a place in the first team.
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[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Looking in to your crystal ball, can you see the stars enjoying better player retention in the future? What needs to change to hold on to players like JB Dempsey and JJD Heads? Or were they told to leave?[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Season 13 is going to be a strange one due to the new team coming in. However, I think the 'Stars are among the more stable teams in the competition. The experienced players in our ranks are always going to come back and if we can retain our youth, we'll be in a very strong position compared to other teams. [/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]I think some of the new appointments in our hierarchy are going to help our image for the future. People like Howe and Emm are sure to shake things up. Dempsey and Heads can be replaced and we now have the personnel to make it happen.
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It's no secret that some pretty big names have moved on from the stars, do you believe that you still have the personnel to be a threat in the S12 Bannerman Shield?
[/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]With arguably the best pace attack in the competition, we're always going to be a force to reckon with. As we have the right mix of youth and experience, I'm sure we'll have a good season and book a place in the top four at the very least.
[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]

[/FONT][/FONT] How many BS centuries will you get in S12?
I'd guess at 7 but I'm hoping for more.




All very positive signs from the stars, in this journo's humble opinion they have all the ingedients for a premiership having shed a lot of deadwood in the off season. I'm predicting a 3rd place finish and a 6 wicket win in the final.
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Terrible post, terrible member etc

 

Good stuff Emm.

 

Am the Michael Parkinson of cricsim, awesome interviewer, not a grammarbot etc etc

 

Good work, Allstars.

 

WAClub

 

You are more like Rove IMO.