My best grade team - Brad Bannister 1989 to 2011

Brad Bannister | March 07, 2023

This was a tough task and actually got tougher the longer I thought about it. I had the pleasure of playing with some wonderful players in grade teams over many years.

I played for Lambton New Lambton, Wallsend and Belmont in Newcastle First Grade and Gold Coast Dolphins in Queensland Premier Cricket

I would have loved to have played in this team - My Best Grade Team from 1989 – 2011

1. Glen Grimmond - Lambton New Lambton, now West Newcastle 

Got better the older he got. Amazing off the back foot and took on the short ball with vigour and power. Quiet and unassuming but had a very good game.

2. Mark Littlewood - Belmont

Was lucky enough to coach him as a young fella and then play a bit with him at Belmont. So determined and skilled. As good with deft hands as he was with the power game.

3. Greg Geise – Wallsend and Co-Captain

What a player. Played back to back grade games with Greg where he scored two double centuries. Decimated attacks at all levels. His 273 not v Stockton was a sight to behold.

4. Michael Gerits - Belmont

Big powerful and could bowl a heavy ball as well. One of the great great humans to boot. He could just tear an attack apart. 

5. Andrew Symonds – Gold Coast

No commentary needed really. An incredibly gifted guy who had time for all around him. Believed in his teammates to a tee and always stood up for them in a scrap. What a player.

6. Jeff Pfaff – Gold Coast and Co-Captain

My first skipper in Brisbane. Could really whack it and loved the bumper when bowling. The thing I loved the most about Pfaffy was his total dedication to his boys when in battle. Loved the sledge and didn’t back down from anything. Also always up for a lazy ten beers on the bus trip back from Brisvegas to the Gold Coast.

Jeff Pfaff winning the Peter Burge Medal for Player of the Year - Queensland Premier Cricket

7. Damian Wallis – Gold Coast and Wicket Keeper

This was a close one. And an honourable mention to my great mate Shane Burley. But Wally was awesome. Quite and a hard worker. His longevity and ability back to the quicks was out of this world. Took a skier one day at Kerridale that I reckon he ran 50m for. Great fella too.

8. Chris Killen - Belmont

Quick, strong and had a great mean streak. Could bat too don’t worry about that. Loved nothing more than hitting batsman.

9. Mark Cameron - Lambton New Lambton, now West Newcastle

Very quick and he was cruelled by injury. Could have been anything. Swung it away at pace. Wonderful fielder too in any position. Loved batting too and had many an important knock. One of my great mates as well. Nightmare to face in the nets too.

10. Chris Swan – Gold Coast

Loved playing with Swanny. Swung it prodigiously and could bat. His first class record speaks for itself and he was equally as dominant at grade level. Fantastic fella.

11. Scotty Muller – Gold Coast

Quick, swung it away and was dealt a harsh hand at the top level. Lovely lovely man who always treated you with a smile but ran in hard and bowled quickly.

12th Shane Burley - Lambton New Lambton, now West Newcastle

Not only a wonderful cricketer, but also a great tourist as well. Can organise a great trip as he has more money than god and if we got in a fight he could clean that up for us as well.