Can you tell us a little about yourself outside of cricket?

Outside of cricket I teach PDHPE at Patrician Brothers College Fairfield and play a little bit of LMS to stay in touch with the game. I like to travel a bit when I get the opportunity.

Can you give us a quick rundown on your playing history for the lions?

I played at the Lions between 2007 – 2019; I had the privilege to play for the Lions. This includes:

• 2nd Grade
• 1st Grade
• PG’s (2007)

Any fond memories around the club that you can share with us?

Hahaha yes, I do. I was thinking about this the other day. Too many to include but some fond memories include:

• Coaching the Greenies boys for five seasons with the fantastic Anthony Clarke & Doug Williams (Doug and I had some great chats on the way to the ground).
• I was assistant coach of the Green shield team that won the title in 2012. Best in the state! I was playing 1st Grade with most of that green shield team.
• I loved training, and I would have training competitions with Russell Wilcoxon for a six-pack of Pepsi. It would be who would get each other out most at training throughout the season.
• Andrew Bennie, Karwin Rogers and Matt Starr bowling 25 overs non stop at training each day at different times on those stinking hot days. Those guys are the unsung heroes of the club.
• How can I forget Ron Harivel calling out “Let’s Have Ya” to players to come out of the nets and have a field before we leave.
• To all our supporters each week. Everyone who helped with pitch prep, drinks, scoring and the canteen. Thanks for all your support.

Do you remember your first game for the club?

I do! It’s ironic because my first game was postponed due to the EQUINE flu in 2007. Here we are down the track with another flu in our backyard. So my first game for the club was actually in round two against Gordon at Chatswood. I scored a brilliant 3rd ball duck on debut in 2nd Grade. It wasn’t all bad because I got to see Mitch Lloyd score a hundred and got a bit of extra time to mingle with the boys whom I didn’t know.

Is there anyone whom you’ve admired regarding the presence they had or the way they go about their business in a game?

• Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. I’ve always believed in being free in your game even though I didn’t always display that.
• My first Captain at the Lions was Brett Lack. He had a great attitude as a Captain; he was very supportive and gave me plenty of confidence.
• As a batsman, I’ve always liked the guys that have seen the bigger picture and stayed calm during the game. Guys like Clarky and Ben Rohrer were good with this.
• Off the field, I loved the presence Cooky, Rich Gerdes and Adrian Smith had. Good guys who stayed calm and would always hear you out. I feel there is something that every cricketer can take away from that approach.

Any standout performances you’ve seen someone put together?

There are many, and I have had the pleasure to play with many quality players.

• Grant Lambert: 170 vs Randwick. I opened with him, and he did not mishit a ball that day.
• Dean Attard: 200 vs Campbelltown. Loved that innings from THEEL.

Bowling: In my last season, we were rolling teams over smoothly in the second half of the season. I would say:

• Harmon Sandhu: 9 wickets in an innings.
• Liam Hatcher: Bowled the quickest three balls I’ve seen in my last game vs Hawks. The game was called off because he was hitting guys in the head. The first time that I’ve experienced that in a game.

Any teams you looked forward to playing the most?

In my first season, it was Blacktown. That was the club I initially came from, so I was eager to play against them. After that, I treated every team equally. To me, it was another chance to get a win and make a big score.

Are there any individual performances from yourself that stand out?

• Breakthrough 100 in 2nd Grade in 2007 to get into 1st Grade for the Lions. I went 91, 86* and then the BIG ONE.
• Debut 100 in 1st Grade vs Gordon in 2010 to help chase 400 down.
• My two first-grade wickets with my leggies.

Any advice for any young players trying to make their way up the grades, or find their feet in grade cricket?

• Grade cricket is competitive. Your priority is to turn up to train and play hard. You must love that to progress. You have to want more.
• Be very clear with what you want and how you are going to get there. Ask for help but don’t be afraid to work it out for yourself.
• If you train hard and play hard, ALWAYS remember to be your BEST MATE. Only you know what you NEED.
• Cricketers tend to become too serious with cricket. Stay focused but don’t get too serious. Always remember this is just a game.

Keep a balance in your life. E.g. Cricket, work, study, social life