When Gault McCluggage ended his season early due to the birth of his first child, the Allansford youngster stepped up.

He hasn't looked back. While the move is yet to yield a big score, Robertson's rise up the order is part of an initiative to usher in the Gators' next generation.

"I've been focusing on batting for time a lot more," Robertson told The Standard.

"It's a lot more leaving of the ball. It's about not getting out softly or cheaply.

"I'm trying to take a bit of shine off the ball so teammates can come in and capitalise." Finals is out of the question for Allansford, who started with five straight victories before enduring an eight-game losing streak.

Robertson said the season was "disappointing" but that his team was already planning ahead to next season.

"I think from where we were, it was disappointing," he said. "There's been a few individually good seasons - Ben Boyd has been good, Bloomy (coach Jake Bloom) has been good and Banty (Chris Bant) has been good.

"As a club it's about finishing off strong and development. Kalin Jans is getting his opportunity, Ethan Boyd has come in and is now opening the bowling.

"We've also been reshuffling the batting order. We want to find the most effective order as we're preparing for next year."

Allansford is defending a total of 102 against Brierly-Christ Church on Saturday. The Bulls already have 1-78 on the board.

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