Luke Orlovich Tribute
St George Cricket Club | March 12, 2025
Sadly St George First Grade Player No.243, Luke Orlovich, passed away from cancer in early March 2025.
Luke, of Croation descent and one of 3 boys, grew up in the home that his father and grandfather built in Turella and played junior cricket for West Botany Street. He first played grade cricket for St George DCC in 1968-69 where he played 3rd Grade and collected 44 wickets. His success saw him promoted to 2nd grade for a few games where he took a further 7 wickets. A 50 wicket season in his first year with the Saints.
Here is what is mentioned in the 3rd Grade report of 68-69. “Luke Orlovich, in his first year in grade cricket, was the leading wicket taker, with 44 wickets at an average of 15.06”. “He is big and strong and should go on to higher honours with a little more experience”.
He played just a few more games in 3’s during the 69-70 season before moving to 2nd grade where he was the mainstay of the bowling attack for 3 seasons taking plenty of wickets. In this time 2nd grade won premierships in 1969-70 and 1971-72.
In 1972-73 he made his first grade debut and played the full season in this grade taking 29 wickets at just 17.24.
The following season he was relegated back to 2nd Grade and finished with 40 wickets 15.55. The 74/75 season saw him play a combination of 2's and 1’s where he managed a further 15 first grade wickets at 21.80. During this season he was also the Manager of the successful St George Green Shield team that won the flag under the captaincy of Greg Matchett. Greg remembers Luke fondly, “He was a terrific guy, always generous with his time and genuinely happy to see and chat with you over the years at various reunions”.
Pic 1 - Image of Luke from the 68-69 Annual Report (his first season - Pic 2 - Luke in 1974-75 as Green Shield Manager
1974-75 would be his final season for the Saints for the time being whilst he spent a few seasons plying his trade with Bankstown where he would become 1st Grade player No.125.
In season 79-80 he briefly returned playing 2’s and 3’s before what appears to be a short stint with the old Sydney Cricket Club.
He was later feared in the strong St George Park competition where he played for Arncliffe CC and played against the likes of long time club sponsor Harry Solomons who played for Kogarah Boys in the 1st Grade competition. "Luke was big and fiery on the field and quite relentless and competitive but the first to have a chat and a drink with you after the game", remembers Solomons.
All up for St George DCC he claimed 280 wickets at the measly average of 17.76. 47 of these wickets were in the top grade and 183 in 2’s where he is the 14th highest wicket take in Saints 2nd Grade history. As a lower order batsman he finished with 660 runs at 11.79 and a top score of 33.
The 1969-70 2nd Grade Premiership report says much of the man and the way he went about his business on and off the field. “In the bowling department, Luke Orlovich and Jeff Matchett were the main weapons of attack and never once gave anything but their best. Luke has a tremendous heart and worried all batsman throughout the season with his ability to move the ball off the seam. A major part of the credit for 2nd’s success must lie on “Big Luke’s” shoulders for without him the premiership would definitely not been captured.
Luke was also a valuable member of the Management Committee between the years of 1970 (elected 5/2/70) and 1975.
Outside of cricket Luke enjoyed soccer playing for Arncliffe Presbyterian from juniors into seniors. He loved to help others particularly through coaching and teaching. He became a coach and mentor to many in the fields of cricket, soccer and basketball. Later in life he chose to pass on his knowledge of the building industry as a Tafe teacher primarily focused on building and OH & S. He was also a very loyal member of the Arncliffe RSL club where he organized social cricket games on certain Sundays.
Most importantly Luke was a loving father to 4 kids who all followed their father’s footsteps by pursuing and completing University qualifications.
1969-70 2nd Grade Premiers Standing from L-R: A Veness (Scorer), J Matchett, K Francis, D Paull, L Orlovich, K Jones, M Lang, EE Johnson (Hon.Sec)
Sitting from L-R: G Bull, R Rogers, K Parmenter, EW Adams CBE (President), J Veness (Capt.) G Rayment, B Chapman
