Who made the cut? Check out the WDCA's top-20 players

But after hours and hours of watching Warrnambool and District Cricket Association action across the spring and summer, I'd hope it's as well-formed as an opinion can be.

As always, there are mainstays of this annual top-20 list who are still showing their wares as some of the competition's brightest talents and rightfully deserve a place.

With some off-season departures and arrivals, it's only natural there will be some new faces who are enjoying first-class seasons making their maiden appearance.

Number one has a well-established position as one of regional Victoria's best wicketkeeper-batsmen. His trademark aggression can rip the game from his opponents and he can turn a game in a matter of overs.

Many around him would agree he's hitting the ball and keeping the wicket as well as he ever has at age 29 and is absolutely instrumental to Russells Creek's premiership chances.

Statistics aren't everything and in cricket they can be more misleading than most other sports. In this case, he offers much more than just the runs and stumpings.

Here it is - the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association top 20.

Last season: Fourth

A real game-changer who is hitting the ball brilliantly as evidenced through his 236-run haul from five matches and average of 47. Williams' form at club level has also oozed into his representative duties with Warrnambool in the Hudson Shield.

The former Victoria Country wicketkeeper has never been more important to his club as it pursues a fourth premiership in five seasons. The bottom line is when Williams bats well, Creek often wins.

Will be fascinating to see if his run-scoring abilities continue to shine into the new year.

His elite wicketkeeper is also a bonus as the pressure of him at the stumps creates wickets.

Last season: Sixth

Technically gifted and hits the ball with power. Threlfall's season has been a pillar of consistency and while he's yet to post a huge score, he's notched up three half-centuries and two scores above 30 to average a stunning 72.

A quietly-spoken leader who does the majority of his scoring through the off-side, particularly through the cover area of the field.

Has built on his strength and is capable of punishing any ball with width and the short ball.

Last season: First

Had an interrupted start to the season with illness but delivered a captain's knock to all but reimpose himself as one of the Warrnambool and District Cricket Assocaition's premier all-rounders.

Does it all and is a three-time cricketer of the year as a result. Has been a bit hit and miss in 2021-22 but recent knocks of 86 and 60 in the Bulls' Twenty20 fixtures underpin his importance to the team.

Still one of the most naturally gifted players in the association and will be keen to lift Brierly-Christ Church off the bottom of the ladder.

Last season: Fifth

If there was a perfect prototype for a bowler to navigate Warrnambool's conditions and pitches, it'd be the Russells Creek skipper.

Doesn't give runs away easily and takes wickets. Lots of wickets. Benefits from leading the strongest bowling attack in the competition but is the standout bowler in his side.

Petherick also offers leadership value to his side and doesn't go missing in big games. A rock-solid medium pacer who will cause any team problems. The premiership captain has been interrupted with a shoulder injury in 2021 but will be hoping to kick on in 2022.

Last season: Second

A batsman good enough to punish any bowler who is anything less than perfect, the Eels skipper is one of the most dangerous and aggressive options in the competition in a similar ilk to Williams.

The former Melbourne Country Week captain has just 87 runs to his name after five rounds and is yet to hit his straps but is still one of the most feared prospects in the league.

Just a hard-hitting batsman who will need to make scores if North Warrnambool is to reach its predecessor Woodford's heights from this past campaign.

Last season: 13^th

Nursing a shoulder injury and hasn't played since December 4 but is now Port Fairy's most important player. The youngest captain in the WDCA but one who contributes on both offence and defence, batting in the top order and bowling first or second change.

A seriously bright prospect who would be capable of pushing to play a higher level - as he did at Victorian Premier Cricket club Northcote a couple of seasons ago - in the future.

Last season: Not placed

Incredibly difficult to get away for runs and one who sets the platform for teammates to get wickets. Not a huge turner of the ball but one who can cause serious issues in his ability to tie up an end. A stingy economy rate of 1.97 - only bettered by Merrivale's Hugh Fleming - and an average of 6.38.

One who can pile on the pressure to allow Creek's strike bowlers to take the scalps. More impressively, the Sri Lankan-born talent can hold up an end with the bat and contribute in the lower order.

Last season: Eighth

Veteran bowler who will go down as one of the region's greatest seamers. Still bowling a large amount of overs - he's clocked up 50 from eight games thus far - and doing damage despite the one-day and Twenty20-heavy format.

Last season: 10^th

Evergreen all-rounder who is in the form of his life at the Bulls in 2021. Is equal-leading wicket-taker with 11 scalps and has 268 runs from eight games. Nick Butters told Cow Corner this past week he felt Murphy was hitting the ball as well as he had in years and hailed his form.

Always been one of the most talented players in the competition but is finding the form to accompany ability in 2021.

Last season: Not placed

Young captain who acknowledged he'd need to step up to the plate with extra responsbility and has answered the challenge. In the process of becoming Factory's most important player and one who can deliver with both bat and ball. Averaging 21.3 across eight games so far and boasting 14 wickets for a solid return.

Last season: Ninth

One of the best accumulating batsmen in the WDCA who has been able to adapt his game to be effective in the one-day form of the game. Enjoying an outstanding season, as evidenced through his 57-run average from eight games.

Last season: 11^th

Started the season in blistering nick but has dropped off a little since. Still capable of contributing heavily for a young Dennington side with both bat and ball as he chases the form which delivered 400 runs and 40 wickets for Flemington two seasons ago.

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Last season: 14^th

Enjoying an ultra-economical campaign and is still North Warrnambool's most dangerous bowling option. Part of a well-oiled machine and has probably had to step up without Connor Richardson playing.

Last season: 12^th

Hasn't had the reward in runs so far but technically still as important for West Warrnambool than ever before. Leadership is still important as coach and one who can make runs on the big stage. Only a matter of time before runs start flowing for the schoolteacher.

Last season: 17th

Undoubtedly the Gators most important batsman and while support has been better in the form of players like Paddy Mahony and Noah Greene, his performances will still go a long way as the club fights to get off the bottom of the ladder.

Last season: Not placed

Seriously underrated operator and a player who can make a difference. Ultra-consistent and one who will need to shoulder responsibility while Jennings is sidelined. Nice player to watch and technically fairly strong.

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Last season: 16^th

Still a match-winner and still Merrivale's most important player. Hasn't had as much pressure on the back of improvement from youngsters like Theo Opperman, Hugh Fleming and Flynn Wilkinson but nonetheless a key prospect.

Last season: Not placed

Similar bowler to his countryman Shiv Kumara in that he's notoriously difficult to get away and get under to loft over a ring field. Jennings revealed Silva was hitting the same standard as this past season in this past fortnight, a major boost for the Pirates' chances.

Last season: Not placed

It's almost a crime to think Mungean was considering watching from the sidelines when he was appointed Beavers coach. The veteran has been in inspired form, contributing with his trademark three-step run-up and ultra-tight bowling and even as a hitter with the bat.

Last season: 15^th

Relinquishing the captaincy has so far yielded solid results for the man called 'Wiz'. Williams is finding a bit of form with the ball to complement his well-known batting prowess. Has 10 wickets to add to a respectable average of 23.6 with the bat.

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