Scott Christiansen: The run machine and stand in captain for
the Semi Final in the 4th XI churned them out again hitting his 4th
century for the season to help guide his side over the line. Produced a
masterful bowling display also taking 4/22 from 10 overs. Didn’t have a whole
lot of luck in the Grand Final unfortunately but made up for it by being
amongst the best in the end of season celebrations. Surely will be back again
to get that illusive flag he so dearly craves.
Spencer Stuckey: A super impressive finals campaign for the
young emerging star in the 4th XI. Spence has improved outa sight
this season and continued his great season with a very consistent performance
in both finals. Was probably best on in the Grand Final defeat top scoring with
55 at the top of the order before being the leading wicket taker also with
3/30. Can’t wait to see this humble young man salute with an overdue
premiership in the seasons to come.
Jack Marget: A really solid contributor throughout both
finals and was clearly the better Marget in the 2nd XI finals
campaign. Hit a very classy 48 in the semi and 20 in the Grand Final batting at
3 and has now asked if everyone would call him the finisher with the pill after
bowling at the death in high pressure situations in both games. Took key early
wickets in the Grand Final to really get the ball rolling.
Hayden Morrison:
Dosmanstagram as he is commonly known played an important role in the 3rd XI's
triumph over their Semi Final opponent FTG. Coming in at a tough time ‘Dos’
turned to ‘Dots’ as he knuckled down to steer his team out of danger alongside
his captain Pottsy. But sure enough the Dosman let loose when the danger
cleared, knocking a chanceless and unbeaten 57 by the end of the day's play.
Although his performance in the Grand Final was not quite as memorable, the
concentration and leadership he showed in the semi was a sight to behold.
Callum O’Connor: A man made for the big occasion Carlton put
in one of the greatest ever Knox Gardens Grand Final performances on…… and then
off field. Strode to the crease with the game in the balance and looked every
bit the pro in the middle with his elite technique, solid defence and power
game all clicking together to hit his highest ever score of 81 runs before
being the last wicket to fall. A super effort from such a young player under
immense pressure. Topped off his batting effort with the match winning runout in
a superb display.
Josh Wylde: Self-proclaimed ‘Mr March’ Joshy lived up to
that name showing a cool calm head under all the pressure of finals time in the
2’s. A superb knock in the Semi Final was brought to an end after the umpire
got in the way of a lusty pull stroke and cost him a deserved half century and
then moments later running himself out. An important mentoring role to young
Callum in the Grand Final was matched by the safe hands in the deep claiming
the final 2 catches for victory.
Gerard Jongen:
Gerarddddd (Ian Jongen voice) came into finals in great form bowling a treat.
He finally got reward for effort taking a match ‘turning’ 4/40 off 12 in the Semi
Final to spark a collapse by Ferntree Gully. He continued his good form the
following week in the Grand Final taking 1/32 and then 3fa in Lysterfield’s
second dig.
Travis Mulder: No surprise to see the old fox in any list
when we are talking about big games and finals, the man always delivers.
Announced his 2nd XI campaign with the stick in the Semi hitting
multiple bombs before an unbelievable piece of pure fielding genius saw him
wrap up the game and propel the side to the Grand final where he shone this
time with the rock. Opened up the bowling and bowled a fiery spell claiming 2
early scalps before busting the game wide open in his second spell. Finished
the match with 21 overs 4/44 in a masterful display.
Daine Vernon (c): The inspiring leader of the 2nd XI
looked to be all at sea in the Semi Final with balls flying over the fence time
and time again before steadying and taking the game to the second last over for
the win. Performed a tad better in the big dance bowling another marathon spell
at the death with some crucial wickets to get the job done. Took 3 of the final
4 wickets in the Grand Final and was lucky enough to captain a great team which sees him captain of this side.
Ashley Hawkes: After bowling superbly in the last
round on a ground favouring the batsmen at 'The College' the VFL
boundary umpire continued his great form taking 3/28 off 15 in the Semi Final
which helped the 3rd XI roll Ferntree Gully for 144. Hawksey for the
3rd week in a row and most importantly in a Grand Final kept slinging them in
taking 3/36 off 15 overs which helped see Lysterfield skittled for 128 which
gave the 3rd XI a real sniff of victory.
Jack Deveson:
Devostation hadn't been up to his absolute best coming into the 3rd
XI finals and after being convinced by the skipper Pottstagram to cancel his
21st birthday camping trip…. he came along to Argyle way where he snared the
first wicket of the Semi Final and had figures of 1/25. Devo finally found his
groove in the big dance taking 4/20 off 12 overs including the big wicket of
Neil who was whacking us all over the park.
12th Man:
Josh Curnow: The
man know by many names: JC, Palm, Curney and Cunrow. Josh played an important
role throughout the 3rd XI's finals campaign, bowling very economically at just
the right time in the Semi Final and Grand Final. After taking a good scalp in
the semi he walked away with the handy figures of 1/26 off 14. He followed this
up nicely in the big dance with figures of 2/22 off
13....very Reidesque. This made him a very handy inclusion into one of the
great bowling cartels and having previous experience carrying the drinks in premiership success a few years back we squeezed him in as 12th man...no stress Curn!
