**It’s fair to say Covid hasn’t dealt us many favours over the last two years, but the introduction of one-day cricket in the WGCA has allowed time in the fixture for preliminary finals to be played…and that has to be a good thing for everyone. This season’s finals set up, where 1 v 2 and 3 v 4 in week one of the finals, then preliminary finals on week two, followed by the grand final on week three, just makes a lot of sense and is a fair solution for everyone. Let’s hope a revised fixture, whether that reverts to the old system of playing seven one-dayers and seven two-dayers or stays with 14 one-dayers, has room in it for preliminary finals. They’re just a winner!
**While on the benefit of preliminary finals…three of the top four grades in the WGCA – Premier, District and B Grade – will this week have grand finals played between teams that finished first and fourth on the ladder. In the old system, 1 v 4 would be played on week one of the finals, with the loser eliminated. With preliminary finals, we actually get the two in-form teams in March playing off in the big dance.
**It was short day at the office for the LANG LANG F Grade team on Saturday, with six players making ducks in the preliminary final loss to PAKENHAM. Thank goodness the Swamp Tigers had skipper Matt Waixel at the crease, he made 27 of his team’s 54 runs, with 15 more coming from extras! Apart from Waixel, only four other players scored, with numbers of 5, 4, 2 and 1.
**NAR NAR GOON/MARYKNOLL B Grade bowler Nick Mueller must be scratching his head and thinking, “What else could I possibly do”…after producing two stunning bowling performances over the first two weeks of finals. Mueller took 5/24 against DEVON MEADOWS in a losing semi-final, then repeated the dose with 5/22 against TOORADIN in the preliminary final on Saturday. Two games, 10 wickets, and your team gets beaten on both occasions…sometimes cricket can be a cruel game!
**While on in-form players, and teams, in finals, we have to give a shout out to NAR NAR GOON/MARYKNOLL E Grade batter Russell Perry. The opener made 64 in a dominant display against CLYDE last week, and then lifted the bar even higher with an unbeaten 100 against EMERALD on Saturday. Perry has not only made 164 runs, at that same average over the last fortnight, but his team has lost just one wicket over the same journey. So what awaits next? A grand final match-up with PAKENHAM, the only team that has not lost a game in any grade of the WGCA this season.
**It was fantastic to see former KOOWEERUP champion Shane Dole at Denhams Road on Saturday. Dole was a fantastic top-order batter for the Demons who also took a huge amount of wickets with his off-spinners/darts as well. For those who can’t recall Dole’s impact at Kooweerup…we’ve got one thing that can sum him up. Across the WGCA competition he had the nickname “The Great Man”…and that pretty much hits the nail on the head.
**While on champion players across the WGCA, it was great to reflect a little as KOOWEERUP star Chris O’Hara came out to face his first ball on Saturday against none other than CARDINIA’s spin-bowling freak Dwayne Doig. These two go all the way back to when the Demons and Bulls first started their fierce rivalry back in 2006/07…15 years ago. They’ve had some great battles over the years. In our humble opinion, they’re the best batter and bowler to have played in the competition over that time.
**It’s not until after teams are booted out of finals that you start to hear about the significance of injuries that they have been playing with in the lead up. You wouldn’t have guessed it – because he bowled magnificently on the weekend – but KOOWEERUP star Jess Mathers has had a huge battle just to get on the park in recent times after suffering the foot injury – Plantar Fasciitis. His skipper Chris Bright has also been suffering lately with a knee injury.
**It was with great trepidation that Gazette Sports Editor Dave Nagel walked up to the bar at KOOWEERUP on Saturday, after having a small crack at the batting of Demons’ top-order player Cody Miller last week. Miller got tied down in the semi-final against TOORADIN and we reported it as such. One of the greats of the WGCA, Geoff Miller, Cody’s dad, was working behind the bar and didn’t say anything upon our arrival…but, being a proud dad, there was bit of a glare! Both Miller’s did a great job on Saturday, Cody batting beautifully and showing his natural flare, while Geoff had the beer’s flowing…well enough for Dave to leave his glasses and mobile phone at Denhams Road as he began to head for home.
**It was sad to hear that the Don Bradman of local cricket – people who know him will know why – has retired from the local game. We’re talking of course about WGCA umpire Mike McKenna, who announced after Saturday’s game between KOOWEERUP and CARDINIA that he had pulled the stumps out of the ground for the final time. Mike has been a great character and valuable servant of the WGCA over the years…and we wish him well in his future endeavours. We know of at least one activity that ‘Bradman’ will enjoy in the future!
**Rumours flew around at the MPCA awards night last week. None bigger than JACKSON MOCKETT heading to LANGWARRIN. Mockett has been big for the Pines in its pursuit back to the top flight and Langy have been known to secure local clubs big players – this time last year they nabbed CHRIS BRITTAIN from BAXTER.
**SPRINGVALE SOUTH and BUCKLEY RIDGES made a peace agreement before the conclusion of the home and away season. This week they play off in the Turf 1 grand final, will the settlement make it through the big dance?
**A big name player is set to miss a big game this weekend. He shall remain nameless as the expectation is he will be named in a squad of 12, warm-up and then be a late out…
**One local club in the WGCA must have robbed a bank! It’s offering a talented all-rounder an arm and most certainly a leg to change his threads. A few GAZETTE employees considered a return to the fold after hearing the figure, this club isn’t even in Premier either…
**That’s a long stint. The GAZETTE got sent a photo on Monday at 4pm of three blokes still at the pub after Saturday’s MPCA grand final win. All three of them still in their kit, even had sunnies on caps! Massive effort from the boys, we can only imagine the scent coming from the trio on day 3!
