The Jetty Flat club has poached talented opening batsman Damon Cooper from rival Nirranda as it plots its premiership defence.

Cooper, a year 12 student at Brauer College, revealed he weighed up a Victorian Premier Cricket tilt but opted to remain in Warrnambool for another season as he completed his studies.

“I’ve got a few mates there but that wasn’t the only reason I decided to join. The facilities and players and the coaching they have is first-class,” he said.

“I think it’s a good place to really further my cricket and to get a bit more help. It was always a toss up between staying or going to Melbourne this year.

“I had to put myself first and to work out how I could best advance my game.”

Cooper revealed he was relishing the chance to bat alongside Russells Creek skipper Cam Williams, who was instrumental in the club’s drought-breaking premiership.

“I’m really excited to join their culture and to really bond with everyone. They’re all approachable guys and they bring a real competitiveness to every game.”

Williams, who also announced he’d re-signed with Russells Creek for a further two seasons, said Cooper oozed potential.

“He’s not yet an established division one player but he’s shown glimpses of brilliance,” Williams, a Victoria Country representative, said.

“He’s making about 300 runs a season at the moment but we think he can be a 400, 500 or even 600 run type of player.

“We’re really looking forward to developing him along the way and pushing him along.”

Williams said Cooper would open the batting atop the Russells Creek order.

“We’ll give him first crack, I reckon. He’s shown the signs to be a very good player,” he said.

“He’s definitely not a pick up just to play in the twos. He’s shown what a good player he is and he’s one of those guys who loves their cricket.

“He’ll train really hard and hopefully he can push really hard to get right on top of his game.”

Williams said Creek had retained the crux, if not all of its playing list.