DESPITE missing out on finals for just the third time in 14 seasons, the Perth Scorchers found positives in emerging youth and a couple of golden individual campaigns. The five-time champions were booted out of fourth spot on the final day of the season after a run of four losses upended their campaign.

>> STATS RECAP: Scorchers pair complete golden season

BY THE NUMBERS

RECORD: 5th | 4 wins, 6 losses | 0.219 net run rate
MOST RUNS: Cooper Connolly | 351 @ 50.14 | 131.46 SR | 66 HS
MOST WICKETS: Jason Behrendorff | 17 @ 17.41 | 7.55 economy | 3-21 BB

RESULTS

WIN vs. Melbourne Stars by 6 wickets
LOSS @ Hobart Hurricanes by 8 wickets
LOSS @ Melbourne Renegades by 2 wickets
WIN vs. Brisbane Heat by 33 runs
WIN @ Adelaide Strikers by 7 wickets
LOSS vs. Sydney Thunder by 4 wickets
LOSS vs. Melbourne Renegades by 4 wickets
LOSS @ Sydney Sixers by 14 runs
LOSS @ Sydney Thunder by 61 runs
WIN vs. Adelaide Strikers by 5 wickets

THE STORY

After getting on the board at the first time of asking, the Scorchers suffered a pair of losses on the road and were made to beat two BBL|13 finalists – Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers – to boast a 3-2 record at halfway. Though, things went downhill from there as their Perth Stadium fortress began to crumble with back-to-back home defeats to Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades. A two-game Sydney stint made it four losses on the trot, but Perth recovered in game 10 to momentarily take fourth spot.

THE HIGHLIGHT

Like many sides, the Scorchers saved one of their best showings for last. Needing to win within 18 overs chasing the Strikers’ 161, Perth put on one final show for their adoring home crowd to get home with 22 deliveries to spare. Jason Behrendorff (3-21) claimed Player of the Match honours and rose atop the competition’s wicket taking tally, while youngster Mahli Beardman (3-17) gave a glimpse into the future. Similarly, emerging batter Cooper Connolly starred with an unbeaten 39 off 21 in the chase.

THE LOWLIGHT

There was plenty of choice here given the five-time champions suffered six losses – including four in a row – and missed finals for just the third time in 14 seasons. In that four-game skid, the two home defeats were proved crushing, particularly the one against the Renegades. Having recovered from 6-86 to post 8-147 thanks to Ashton Agar‘s unbeaten 51 off 30, the Scorchers had Melbourne pinned at 4-10 but still failed to get the job done. In the end, the Renegades’ tail got them home with two balls to spare.

THE STAR

It could only be Cooper Connolly here. The 21-year-old wonderkid took out the Golden Bat award for his unmatched 351 runs in the tournament, which included three not out scores and a high of 66. All up, he averaged over 50 and went at a strike rate of 131.46, often pivoting the Scorchers’ innings and being there to hit clutch runs. He also proved a golden arm with the ball, breaking key partnerships en route to six wickets from a useful 24 overs. An economy of 7.41 compounded his all-round value.

TOP KNOCK

Finn Allen – 68 (31) vs. Sydney Thunder @ Perth Stadium

It was relatively slim pickings in terms of top scores for the Scorchers, but overseas signing Finn Allen finally proved his worth atop the order with a powerful 68 off 31 deliveries against the Thunder. The New Zealand international blasted five sixes and six fours to help his side post 4-177 at Perth Stadium. It wasn’t enough, with Sydney winning off the final ball, but backed up a welcome half-century in the previous game to counter four single-digit scores to start the season.

BEST BOWLING

Mahli Beardman – 3-17 (3) vs. Adelaide Strikers @ Perth Stadium

If the 2024/25 season signalled somewhat of a changing of the guard for Perth, then Mahli Beardman is on his way to taking the reigns. The 19-year-old firebrand impressed with 3-17 off just three overs in the Scorchers’ crucial win over Adelaide Strikers in their final home-and-away fixture, complimenting veteran Jason Behrendorff (3-21) nicely. He removed Alex Ross (6), Harry Manenti (3), and Brendan Doggett (2) cheaply to maintain pressure on the visitors and hint at what the future may hold.

CONTRACT STATUS

SIGNED: Ashton Agar, Finn Allen, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner

FREE AGENTS: Sam Fanning, Nick Hobson, Mitch Marsh, Matthew Spoors, Andrew Tye

UNCONTRACTED: Matthew Hurst, Keaton Jennings, Bryce Jackson

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