Gearing up for #BPL08
It’s bigger, it’s better and it’s back!
The eighth instalment of Bowls Premier League (BPL) returns to Club Pine Rivers (QLD) from November 13-16.
The Australian bowls fraternity is certainly ready for another super-charged series of the BPL, which will see eight teams do battle on the greens, call for the power-plays, feed off the frenetic atmosphere, lay down drives and plenty more!
Selectors have made a flurry of changes to their teams from BPL07 which saw the Club Helensvale Gold Coast Hawks victorious in Wellington, New Zealand, with a few additions to grace the $100,000 prize pool competition for the first time.
Bowls Australia (BA) is thrilled to have some of the fan favourites back again for BPL08, including Alex Marshall MBE (Brisbane Pirates), Ryan Bester (Moama Murray Steamers), Aaron Wilson (Blundstone Melbourne Roys) and Jeremy Henry (Silkari Illawarra Gorillas), while Ali Forsyth returns for the New Zealand (NZ) Blackjacks.
The inclusion of a female player into each franchise has been a welcomed addition to the BPL and crowds will be treated to some amazing bowls from the likes of Commonwealth Games gold medallists Jo Edwards (NZ Blackjacks), Karen Murphy (BCiB Sydney Lions), Kelsey Cottrell (Brisbane Pirates) and Carla Krizanic (Melbourne Roys) in the sensational field.
The defending champions, Gold Coast Hawks, will have plenty of support heading north up the M1 to cheer on their superstar team, with spearhead and reigning BPL MVP Aron Sherriff always one to watch.
If there was ever a player who has leapt ahead of the field in the BPL format it is Sherriff, who is a four-time winner of the event.
Sherriff has already created history winning his four titles consecutively (with two different franchises) and a fifth title is well within reach given his combination with Hawks and BCiB Australian Jackaroo teammate Nathan Rice, while local Georgia White (debut) joins the Hawks nest for the outgoing Lynsey Clarke (maternal leave).
Hosts of the event Club Pine Rivers will have their Brisbane Pirates to cheer on and their chances of seeing the Maroons lift the trophy come the conclusion of play are strong given arguably the world’s best bowler is again aboard their ship.
Alex Marshall, a former winner of the BPL with the Murray Steamers, has won more international gold medals and world titles than any other participant in the field.
He will be joined again by Kelsey Cottrell and Michael Breen, with the trio coming off a Grand Final appearance at BPL07.
The NZ Blackjacks strong history in the BPL suggest they are always a team to keep an eye on and the team will be re-joined by experienced international Ali Forsyth, a man born to play the BPL format, while teenage prodigy and 2018 Australian Open semi-finalist Seamus Curtin will fill the (big) shoes of Shannon McIlroy.
Among the other franchises to pose a threat are perennial powerhouses the Moama Murray Steamers, who have had a consistent track record in the BPL.
The Steamers will be boosted by the addition of Tiffany Brodie, who will make her BPL debut alongside mainstays Ryan Bester and Michael Walker.
It’s hard to look past the history books when assessing the Sydney Lions, who have had their name etched onto the BPL trophy three times of the past four events.
They have acquired the services of a former BPL MVP Scott Thulborn and Jackaroo Ray Pearse.
The Illawarra Gorillas are a team of international superstars and with the combination of firepower and finesse via the likes of Jeremy Henry, Kay Moran and Aaron Teys, you’d suggest they will be thereabouts come the pointy end of the competition.
Look out for the Blooms The Chemist Perth Suns to be a stronger force with the return of Jackaroo Kristina Krstic and the addition of Shane Knott, while the Melbourne Roys have one of the best teams on paper with Jackaroos Aaron Wilson, Barrie Lester and Carla Krizanic to again lead the charge.
BPL08 will be LIVE on Fox Sports each night from 6pm AEDT, with day sessions to be broadcast via Rinkside Live on BA’s Facebook page.
Don’t forget it’s FREE entry into Club Pine Rivers across all four days of competition.
