My Best Grade Team - Brett Mortimer 1990 to 2002

Brett Mortimer | June 29, 2023

I was lucky enough to play in many premierships during the glory days of Sandgate - Redcliffe Cricket Club. My team was hard to pick and includes some of Queensland and Premier Cricket’s greatest ever players.

Here's my Best Grade team in batting order:

1. Trevor Barsby

Legend off the club. Retired from rep cricket and back to Sandgate to captain us to our first flag

2. Jerry Cassell

Should have played more games for QLD. Great talent. Scored some big shield hundreds. He joined the gators from Wynnum.

3. Peter Goggin

The true professional - set us young Gators on the right path to have the success we did in the 90s.

4. Matt Goggin

The best batsmen never to play for QLD. Was a run machine who would have been a sensation in T20 cricket. Played in all our premiership teams

5. Trent Ryan

Great cricket brain. Bowled handy off spin.Another one who should have played Shield cricket. Played in one off our premierships.

6. Gavin Fitness

The bloke you want in your team especially when you are a bowler. Should have played a lot more shield cricket then he did - unlucky not to play in Queensland’s first Sheffield Shield win. The ultimate competitor

7. Brendon Buckley

Great competitor. Injury stopped him going further. Scored a first grade one day hundred against Wests opening the batting. Was very sharp in his day

8. Brendon Creevey

This bloke had it all - swung the ball both ways - went up a few gears when he was required. Could bowl all day. Scored some handy runs with the bat. Played Shield cricket and for Aust A. Queensland had so much talent in 90s from which to choose.

9. Paul Pink

Gee I miss the big fella and his love of life and cricket. His left arm swingers ripping into batsmen’s pads. Scoring a hundred in a final against Norths when we were in trouble. He gave so much back to his beloved Gators. Gone way too soon. RIP mate.

10. Mathew Anderson 

Came to the Gators form Northern Territory. Played shield cricket and should have played for Australia. Unbelievable talent.

11. John Maguire

Played with John in my first season of First Grade. He took us young quicks under his wing and taught us how to bowl. The ultimate professional

12. John Isoardi

Great team-man. Spent a lot of time at short leg with all our quicks. Opened the batting at the Gators in our premiership teams.

NOTABLES

Chris McLean

Batted 3 in our premiership teams. Great fielder who set the standard for us. Fantastic team man.

Murray Kent

Great team-man. Played in our premiership years. At 6ft 6 got plenty of bounce and pace. Shame injury hampered him during his career.

Nathan Rimmington

He was a young player coming through the ranks. He had raw pace and could swing the ball both ways

Coach - Ken Dixon

Great mentor to all the young Gators. He put us on the path to the success we all had. Great sounding board when I started my coaching career.