Interview With A Champion - Blake Macdonald
St George Cricket Club | August 25, 2024
By Hamish Solomons with Blake Macdonald
Blake Macdonald arrived at Hurstville Oval for his first season with the Saints in 2017/18 as a 19 year old from the ACT. Like his batting, anything and everything has happened in the seven seasons since. We’ve been treated to some of the most sublime innings with no shot being off limits. There were some crazy injuries and a shot at higher levels in South Australia that thankfully for St George, didn’t quite work out as he made his way back to us not long after. There was a period over four seasons where he only batted 48 times as opposed to the 44 innings across all formats in the last two seasons. Amazingly though, he has still managed to score 4467 runs in the top grade at a very useful 47 per innings. This includes 11 centuries and a record one day score of 182. As one who has been lucky enough to have witnessed and photographed most of those centuries, I can safely say he’s one of the best I’ve had the privilege of watching for St George.
Like most I’ve spoken to recently, I’m at a bit of a loss as to why he did not retain his NSW contract, but that’s another story for another time. As Blake prepares to take on the next chapter of his career with a move to Victoria to try his luck, all I can say is St Kilda are up for some serious entertainment this coming season. It gives me great pleasure to chat about all things cricket and St George with Blake Macdonald.
Your father was a very handy cricketer himself and obviously his influence has been important, give us a little insight to your cricketing upbringing in the ACT?
It started watching dad coaching the school first XI team on a Saturday before I even began playing. I would get him to throw me balls in the nets at school and in the backyard. It then consisted of moving through the ACT junior reps pathways, playing for my school team and playing for Western District in Canberra grade cricket.
A young Blake Macdonald with father Darryle
Did you play other sports growing up?
Yes, our family was sports mad. My two younger brothers and I were playing anything we could in the backyard, and I tried my hand at soccer, league, union, basketball and hockey.
How did you end up coming to Hurstville and choosing St George over some of the other contenders?
Jacko had contacted me a year or two before I came up and St George was the perfect fit for a few reasons. The club had a great feel about it and so much history that it was reassuring that I was going to be in good hands. I went up and met with Copes and several other St George people as I looked around Hurstville oval for the first time. There was a spot for me at the top of the order if I could grab it and it was a no brainer!
Cricket is a constant learning curve that never really ceases. What do you think you’ve learned from your time at St George?
So many things I don’t even know where to start. I really feel like I’ve grown up as an adult at this club after arriving when I was 18. I’ve been so lucky to have so many good people around to guide me from Dean Gilchrist and Nick Warren as coaches and playing many games with Nick Stapleton, Trent Copeland and Kurtis Patterson.
As you now prepare to leave Sydney, what do you class as your most memorable moments?
No way going past the last day of the grand final this season. Winning the Belvidere with this group has been the big goal for all of us and to have the chance to hit the winning runs and carry on was something I’ll never forget. Apart from that there are so many little things that stand out, I savoured every time I got to lead the team song after a win at Hurstville. I also reflect back on moments where we weren’t quite good enough, and you console each other and learn from teammates as such a rewarding experience when you go on to win down the track.
Batting in the 2nd Innings of the 23-24 Premiership Final win against Manly at Silverwater
If your cricketing journey was a 10 chapter book, what chapter would you say you are currently moving into?
I hope it’s around the halfway point. But you never really know. I think I’ve got my best cricket still in front of me and I’m excited to see what comes next.
The club has enjoyed a close relationship with your new club St Kilda, what helped you decide on them as your next home?
The relationship between the clubs was a big factor and the quality of the club that St Kilda is. They have already been very welcoming so I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone at the club and having a successful season.
Outside of cricket, what do you like to keep yourself busy and / or relaxed with?
I am studying my honours in psychology at that moment so that takes up a bit of time. Other than that, trying to keep fit, a round of golf and catching up with mates is about the full extent.
You've done some pretty awesome charity work in the past, tell us a little more about that and if it is something you'd like to involve yourself with more post cricket.
I raised some money for Lifeline back in 2020 doing a 24 hour run. That was a bit of a personal challenge that I thought I could involve a charity fundraiser in. My mind does like a challenge so pot cricket I can see myself doing similar things or supporting others who are raising money for good causes.
I guess amongst some amazing on field success there's been some mentally tough challenges as well. Are we doing enough at various levels in cricket to address the growing topic of mental health?
I think there is a lot more information out there now and support for people having mental health challenges. Unfortunately, there is still some stigma, and it can be hard for people to seek help, but we are moving in the right direction. My experience in cricket has been that there are great people who are willing to listen and help, and teammates who are understanding and supportive when you need them.
You've posted 11 centuries for St George including 5 last season alone. What innings stands out the most for you?
The century against UNSW 5 or 6 seasons ago was probably the most memorable. It just didn’t seem like a game we could win, and I just almost started slogging my way there not expecting anything. It was one of those days where everything came off and we got over the line. I’ve played better, more controlled innings but whenever you end up not out at the end it’s pretty memorable.
Another century
Who have been your most interesting or memorable team mates?
There are so many interesting characters at St George. I’ve played my whole time at St George with Nick Stapleton, Luke Bartier, and Pete Francis. Stapo will be the first to tell you that I bat my best with him, we’ve had some great partnerships and if you look back at most of my 100’s, he was probably up the other end for a good chunk of them. I’ve also loved batting with Niko over the last few years and had some good success with him. The spin bowlers seem to be a quirky bunch, so between Tom Engelbrecht, Joe Graham, and Raf I could probably do a case study for my honour’s thesis.
You played a handful of games at the next level. Did you notice a huge step up in standard?
Yes, although sometimes that battle is mental as much as anything. The consistency of bowling was noticeable, but thinking about how good the bowler is doesn’t do much for your batting. I play my best when I have a clear mind and play freely, and when I have done that at the next level I have performed well. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to put that mindset to the test at the next level again soon.
Blake receiving his NSW Cap upon his debut in 22-23
Your creative and attacking play has really grown in recent years. At this point of time how do you manage your batting styles along with your goals of securing opportunities in the different formats?
I still believe having a solid foundation sets me up to be successful in any format. So I really try and nail that at training and then work on other skills around it. You get lots of red ball and one day opportunities so seeking out some T20 cricket is something I’ll try and do when possible, with some of the competitions being run around the country. Otherwise it can be quite tricky to improve at that format and make a case for Big Bash teams.
Blake batting against UNSW in 2019
Do you feel you would use your grade opportunities to prepare for the different options available ie bat more attackingly in NSW premier 2 day games with the hope of picking up BBL interest or is it a matter of playing what's in front of you?
No. Cricket is hard enough without getting too clever for yourself! I want to be playing the situation in front of me as best as I can, sometimes that is naturally more attacking. But thinking beyond the current game is way too far in advance and a recipe for disaster!
I feel like we'll already know that answer but if you had a choice what format would you rather play more of at a higher level?
I still think the pinnacle is red ball cricket. Having said that I would just say I want to play them all! Watching the big bash makes you want to be out there and a part of the action and it brings a different element with the crowds and colour!
Do you see yourself taking on captaincy roles in the future?
I think so. I did a lot of it in underage cricket and then some for the Comets. I hope that I would be able to make a good captain as I get older after watching many good leaders in my cricket journey so far.
With all of the above in mind, where do you see Blake Macdonald in the next 5 years?
There are too many possibilities in my mind to come up with one thing. I hope I am still playing and loving cricket. I would love it to involve playing first class and big bash cricket. I hope I have given myself the best chance to play at the highest level possible and then I will be able to live with whatever happens. I’ve got the rest of my life to work 9 to 5 after cricket!
Batting with Kurtis Patterson on 2022
