BPL15 teams locked and loaded
After arguably the most exciting Bowls Premier League (BPL) yet, the ten franchises have been quick to submit their squads for the second tournament of the year, scheduled to begin at Club Pine Rivers on May 23, 2022.
Defending champions Sydney Lions will head to Brisbane with an unchanged line-up, with Karen Murphy AM, BPL14 All Star team member Ben Twist and Aaron Wilson all returning as the franchise looks to win an unprecedented fifth title.
Following a run to the final at home on the Murray, the Moama Steamers have acquired the services of former Hawk and Lion and BPL14 MVP Aron Sherriff to replace Kevin Anderson, who will be Scotland bound to attend a wedding.
Sherriff will join Ryan Bester and Natasha Van Eldik at the Steamers, joining fellow finalists Brisbane Pirates in making a solitary change to their teams, with former New Zealand international Jo Edwards MNZM returning to the tournament to replace Ellen Falkner MBE.
Edwards was due to don the maroon shirt at the most recent edition of the event, but due to COVID-19 border restrictions, was unable to travel across the ditch to join Alex Marshall MBE and Chris Rosanes, who will both return to represent the home franchise for the event.
Perth Suns narrowly missed out on finals in February, but will secure a unique slice of BPL history in May by fielding two women within their contingent, with Kristina Krstic replacing Ray Pearse to join Dawn Hayman and Cody Packer.
Gold Coast Hawks were quick to find a replacement for Sherriff, with former tournament MVP Shannon McIlroy making a BPL comeback and accompanying Kelsey Cottrell and Nathan Rice.
Both Melbourne franchises remain unchanged, with Melbourne eXtreme boasting Carla Krizanic, Matt Flapper and Ali Forsyth, while Melbourne Pulse retain the services of Ellen Ryan, Barrie Lester and Gary Kelly.
Tweed Heads Ospreys will bring the same line-up that saw them conquer both BPL12 and BPL13, with Aaron Teys, Chloe Stewart and Corey Wedlock returning, while Adelaide Pioneers also selected an unchanged trio, of Scott Thulborn, Wayne Ruediger and Katelyn Inch.
Tasmania Tridents have also opted for the same line-up as Moama, with Rebecca Van Asch, Taelyn Male and Mark Nitz donning the state’s colours for their second foray into the sport’s made-for-television marquee tournament.
BPL15 is scheduled for May 23-27, 2022, with 24 hours of live broadcast on Fox Sports, Kayo and Sky Sports NZ across Tuesday to Friday evenings from 4pm-10pm AEST.
See below for the full ins and outs for each BPL franchise:
Adelaide Pioneers: Scott Thulborn, Wayne Ruediger, Katelyn Inch
Coach: Les Carter
No Change
Brisbane Pirates: Alex Marshall, Jo Edwards, Chris Rosanes
Coach: Michael Breen
In: Edwards
Out: Ellen Falkner
Gold Coast Hawks: Shannon McIlroy, Kelsey Cottrell, Nathan Rice
Coach: Steven Tong
In: McIlroy
Out: Aron Sherriff
Melbourne eXtreme: Carla Krizanic, Matthew Flapper, Ali Forsyth
Coach: Kelvin Kerkow
No Change
Melbourne Pulse: Barrie Lester, Gary Kelly, Ellen Ryan
Coach: Jeremy Henry
No Change
Moama Steamers: Ryan Bester, Natasha Van Eldik, Aron Sherriff
Coach: Ryan Burnett
In: Sherriff
Out: Kevin Anderson
Perth Suns: Dawn Hayman, Kristina Krstic, Cody Packer
Coach: Pieter Harris
In: Krstic
Out: Ray Pearse
Sydney Lions: Karen Murphy, Ben Twist, Aaron Wilson
Coach: Steve Glasson
No Change
Tasmania Tridents: Rebecca Van Asch, Taelyn Male, Mark Nitz
Coach: Mark Strochnetter
Tweed Heads Ospreys: Aaron Teys, Corey Wedlock, Chloe Stewart
Coach: Wayne Turley
No Change
