By David Nagel
Two past winners of the prestigious Terry Stephenson Medal will once again be leading contenders when the West Gippsland Cricket Association (WGCA) hands out its highest individual accolade on Sunday.
Tooradin captain Cal O’Hare won the award in 2012/13, the last time the Seagulls won the Premier Division flag.
On March 26 this year he captained his beloved Gulls to their first premiership in nine years, and is now aiming for a very unique double.
O’Hare made 525 runs during the home-and-away season, with one century (111) and three high-end half-centuries (88, 80 and 77) sure to catch the umpires attention. Whether he polls votes for four scores in the 30’s and 40’s this season will dictate if he is a contender.
O’Hare’s stiffest competition will certainly come from two of the big guns with the bat, with Kooweerup skipper Chris Bright and Carlisle Park’s Ravi Kodithuwakku having outstanding seasons at the top of the order.
Bright made 482 runs this season, with no centuries, but did pass 50 on six occasions with most of those possible three-vote attractors.
Kodithuwakku was a runaway leader in this season’s Premier Division aggregate, with 651 runs a perfect indicator of the magnificent season he has put together.
The belligerent left-hander scored two brilliant centuries (129 not out and 107) and four half centuries (76, 67, 60 and 52), but most of those were in a losing cause.
How the umpires assess the impact of his contributions, in those losing games, will decide whether Ravi has a medal hanging around his neck on Sunday night.
And another past winner, Pakenham star Chris Smith, will also be aiming to add a second medal to the one he collected with the Lions back in 2015/16.
Smith made a brilliant 101 not out in round six, with additional scores of 96, 70, 64 and 52 likely to see him on 13 to 14 votes.
Smith’s chances will hinge on three of his last four games, with scores of 32, 32, 38 possible chances for one or two vote games.
Smith is the most stylish player in the competition and would be a worthy two-time medallist.
All-rounders have also had a great record in the medal, with Kooweerup’s Luke McMaster and Cardinia’s Travis Wheller both sure to poll well after delivering some definite three-vote performances this season.
And Pakenham’s Jason Williams will consistency poll votes after being a tower of strength for the Lions with his middle-order batting and persistent off-spinners.
And what will the umpires make of the bowlers this season, with slow bowlers appearing to have the better of their more-speedy counterparts.
Kooweerup spinner Matt Bright consistently opened the bowling, and took wickets, and might be a sneaky contender this season.
Wheller and Williams also bowled beautiful spin, and their ability to also attract attention with the bat may see them near or at the top of the leaderboard.
Luke McMaster leads the chances for the pace-bowlers, with his batting an important component, while Tooradin’s Kallan Braid-Ball has best the best outright quick this season.
OUR TIP
It’s impossible to assess umpires’ thoughts, but going through each game with a fine-tooth comb, on a 3,2,1 basis, it appears likely we could have a first-ever three-way tie for the Terry Stephenson Medal.
We’re tipping Kooweerup’s Chris Bright, Pakenham’s Chris Smith and Carlisle Park’s Ravi Kodithuwakku to be standing on the dais together…with O’Hare, McMaster and Wheller hot on their tails.
TERRY STEPHENSON MEDAL – MOST RECENT PAST WINNERS
PREMIER PLAYER CLUB VOTES
2020/21 Jake Prosser Cardinia 16
2019/20 Russell Lehman Tooradin 26
2018/19 Dale Tormey Pakenham 19
2017/18 Jess Mathers Kooweerup 22
2016/17 Mark Cooper Kooweerup 23
2015/16 Chris Smith Pakenham 18
2014/15 Russell Lehman Pakenham 21
2013/14 Aaron Avery Tooradin 15
2012/13 Callum O’Hare Tooradin 17
