My best grade team - Tim O'Sullivan 1992 to 2007
Tim O'Sullivan | February 09, 2024
I started my Victorian Premier Cricket Career in 1992 playing for Northcote Cricket Club before moving to St Kilda Cricket Club in 1999. I was lucky enough to play in 6 premiership teams one with Northcote and five with the mighty Saints.
In picking my team I excluded one notable player in Shane Warne as he is in every best team of all time and thought it was time he missed out on one!
Nine of the team played first class cricket and all played in Premiership teams that have left many great memories.
Here is my team and definitely in batting order. Sorry Horse but I couldn’t bat you at 12!
1. Gerry Dowling - Northcote
Outstanding role model for any young district cricket player. Left no stone unturned in his preparation. Opening bowers didn’t like bowling to him and some teams opened with a spinner to upset his tempo. Like all the top order loved batting all day. One of five left handers in the batting line up.
2. Shawn Craig – St Kilda
Such a tough competitor. Opposition loved sledging him for some reason. Always put so much value on his wicket. Craigy had the ability to make 30 runs in a session but within a blink of an eye make another hundred in the next session. Bowled very useful leg spin and was a partnership breaker.
3. Graeme Rummans - St Kilda
His record in Melbourne and Sydney speaks for itself. I think he was the best district cricketer in Australia. Loved making runs and batting for long periods of time. Won three Ryder Medals and could have won more. Still making runs for fun at Subbies level. Not the worst left arm spinner when he didn’t have the yips.
4. Michael Klinger - St Kilda
Hardest working batsmen I ever played with which says something. He had a hunger for runs and an ability to just keep making big scores season after season. Probably unlucky not to play for Australia in all formats. Fast between wickets and superb in the field. Could destroy an attack and loved taking on the spinners. He had the worst taste in music in the team and was banned from ever being the game day DJ.
5. Rob Quiney - St Kilda
Best clubman I played with and just an annoyingly good bloke. He could seriously bat and loved facing fast bowing. As clean a hitter as I played with. Great cricket story of getting out what you put into the game as he came through the ranks from 4th grade to 1st grade at St Kilda to become a club legend. Never a bad word said about him from anyone in cricket circles which is very rare for a St Kilda player.
6. Nick Jewel - St Kilda
Big game player with bat and ball and an imposing figure, his slow left arm mediums seemed to somehow always get big wickets. He was a big intimidating player on the field and the harder it got the better he usually batted. He could really destroy an attack when he was on. Probably the second best slips fielder I played with.
7. Darren Berry - Northcote – Wicket Keeper and Captain
The best gloveman I was lucky enough to stand next to and see close up. Best thinker behind the stumps, better batsman than his stats suggest and a born leader. Reminds me of Toby Green from the Giants. His team mates loved playing with him and the opposition hated playing against him. Chuck deserved to play for Australia but he has left a strong legacy and has given so much back to the game as a coach, mentor and player.
8. Adam McGinty - Northcote
Billy the kid. A fantastic athlete who on his day was a match winner. Stock delivery a fast leg cutter. Beautiful smooth run up and a great fielder as well .He was fast and only injuries stopped him playing more first class cricket. Was good hard hitting slogger but didn’t love the short stuff.
9. David Saker - Northcote
The wicket taker. The best quick I played with and the most competitive. Never gave up and was unlucky not to have played Test cricket. Could make the ball talk and was all over the batsman. It was so rewarding to see him as bowling coach of England and Australia as he deserved to have time at the highest level.
10. Adrian Jones - St Kilda
Bowled a first class length for long periods of time. Durable and regularly got the best batsman from the opposition out. So consistent and set a great example at training for any young quicks on how to train and get your body right for game day. He was a great St Kilda man and set the tone for many years. He never loved bowling a no ball and often had lengthy conversations with umpires asking if he really did over step the line!
11. Dan Horsley - St Kilda
This guy could seriously bowl. The fastest of the attack and had a smooth John Snow action and bowled a heavy ball and if it wasn’t for some unlucky health issues could have played a lot of State cricket. He had an outstanding Sydney Grade Cricket history but was cut short in Melbourne.
12. Glen Lalor - St Kilda
Talented all-rounder who could move the ball at will and hit some more than handy runs when needed. Not unlike Ian Harvey when he was at his best. A real match winner who went on the lead the club and is now currently coaching the Saints.
Scorer: Jo Radley
An amazing women who has been a main stay at St Kilda for many seasons. A deep cricket knowledge and often gave me great game day advice as she had seen it all. A life member, committee member and important part of the fabric of not only St Kilda Cricket Club but Premier Cricket in Victoria.
Team Manager: Tim “Clock” Loughry
The Clock was a key part of our team success. One of the finest men you will ever be lucky enough to meet and share a beverage or two with. He mixed a mean green cordial and always had chewy at the ready. Another life member at the Saints and deservedly so. He put up with some very strong characters in the rooms but was always loved and respected.
