ADCA 2025-26: Royals looking to get back into contention with key trio returning to the ranks for new season

Royals are looking to mount a strong comeback in the new Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition, with a trio of returning faces key to early confidence ahead of Saturday’s season opener. Skipper Mitch Green, who missed his side’s disappointing exit in last season’s preliminary final clash due to a serious calf injury sustained in the last game of the regular season, said the Lions were ready to get their heads back in the game. “We’re looking forward to the season starting, getting back out there again,” he said. “The season didn’t end the way we wanted it to last year, we got bundled out in the first final after a successful few years before that, so we’re definitely looking to get back to that top form. “But at the end of the day, we’re all looking forward to going out there and enjoying playing cricket, if we focus on ourselves and what we’re doing, the results will take care of themselves.” The Lions will be boosted by some talented returning names to their line-up, including Leighton Smith, Teague Valli and Ted Batchelor. They will lose Daniel Thomas, who made the move to Railways for the season, and Tyler Crommelin, who has headed to Mt Barker, but the pair stand as the only losses to the side. Green said keeping the squad relatively stable was a factor he hoped would weigh in, and give the Lions some advantage in experience. “We’ve held on to a really stable squad for the last couple of years, which is really important and that’s something that will have an impact as those boys continue to play together,” Green said. The experienced captain said the team would be on the attack from the start, pushing a change of mindset after a subpar 2024-25 season and playing much more “positive cricket” to hit the ground running in the early days. The Lions defeated Mt Barker in the 2023-24 grand final, and won the T20 grand final in the 2024-25 season over Railways with a formidable bowling outfit, defending a score of 116 to claim the minor title. However, the consistent one-day grand final pairing of Mt Barker and Royals was upset after the Lions went down in the preliminary final amid injury woes and a less-than confident batting line-up, leaving a slick Railways side to swoop in and claim the grand final spot. The Lions face Manypeaks in the opening game of the season on Saturday, and will be looking to make a statement with a strong start. Captain: Mitch Green Last season: Third Most runs: Mitch Green (636) Most wickets: Hayden Davies (24) Inclusions: Ted Batchelor (returning), Leighton Smith (returning) Omissions: Daniel Thomas (Railways), Tyler Crommelin (Mt Barker)