A Tasmanian Indigenous star fresh off national championships success and a touted 'keeper/bat from the sunshine state have each put pen to paper ahead of the 2026-27 summer of cricket.
Tasmania's Emma Manix-Geeves announced last week she would be leaving her home state while Queensland has confirmed fellow Indigenous 'keeper/bat, Dylan McLachlan, has earned his first contract with the Bulls.
Manix-Geeves' move to New South Wales for the upcoming Women's National Cricket League (WNCL) season comes after first signing with Tasmania in the 2019-20 season while she was completing Year 12.
Throughout her time with the Tigers Manix-Geeves was a major contributor to Tasmania's three-peat WNCL titles in 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24, most notably an unbeaten 104 (133) in Tasmania's drougfbreaking 2021-22 victory over South Australia.
"I leave Cricket Tasmania with nothing but love and respect for the organisation and all the people involved in the club," Manix-Geeves said.
"Thank you to the teammates I've been lucky enough to play alongside, the friendships and memories I've made along the way will last a lifetime and I'm forever grateful for the opportunity to represent my home state.
"I'm very proud to be Tasmanian and although it's hard to leave, I'm excited for what's to come. Tassie will always be my home, but it's time for a new adventure. Thanks to everyone that's supported me along the journey so far."
Manix-Geeves move to NSW comes after the wicketkeeper-batter signed with the Sydney Sixers ahead of last season's Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), a tournament which saw her score 105 runs across six innings.
In her second last appearance for the Tigers earlier she scored 100 in a losing effort against her new state.
Following her signing Cricket NSW head of elite female cricket, Leah Poulton, said she was excited for what Manix-Geeves could bring to the Breakers.
"Her arrival adds immediate strength to our batting and provides cover as an additional wicket keeper," she said.
In Queensland Valley District Cricket Club wicketkeeper-batter Dylan McLachlan landed his first contract with the Bulls following consistent performances at Queensland Premier Cricket level.
Then uncontracted, McLachlan made his List A debut for the Bulls in February 2024 in a one-day cup match against South Australia, where he scored 44.
The 27-year-old is coming off a season where he scored 849 runs at 32.65 across all formats as well as 30 dismissals behind the stumps.
McLachlan's most recent season was highlighted by 130 (240) for Valleys in a two-day fixture against Wynnum-Manly in December.
He has also captained the Queensland's Indigenous XI at the National Indigenous Cricket Championships for the past two years, winning player of the match in last year's final against New South Wales.
