NSW Premier Cricket Father and Son First Grade squad

Paul Ryan | October 11, 2024

It’s AFL draft season, and the "father-son rule" has been getting a bit of attention. This rule, introduced in 1954, gives AFL clubs priority access to the sons of former players, helping to maintain the rich tradition of fathers and sons in the game.

Cricket, of course, doesn’t have a similar rule. But when I read that young Will Adlam had just made his first-grade debut for Mosman, it got me thinking about how many current NSW Premier Cricket first grade players have followed in their father’s footsteps.

Will’s father, Warwick Adlam, had a terrific career himself, playing for 7 one day games for NSW and for Gordon District Cricket Club, UTS North Sydney, and Mosman in NSW Premier Cricket. It’s fair to say I was Wick’s bunny—he’d get me out for fun.

With the father-son theme in mind, I thought it’d be interesting to put together a hypothetical NSW Premier Cricket Father and Son first grade team. Here’s my squad of 12.

1. Scott Rodgie – Northern District

Father – David Rodgie played for UTS North Sydney

2. Blake Nikitaras – St George District Cricket Club.

Father – Steve Nikitaras played for NSW, Western Australia, Western Suburbs, Penrith and Sydney University.

3. Kurtis Patterson – St George District Cricket Club - Captain

Father – Brad Patterson played for Northern District and Sydney University

4. Angus Robson – Eastern Suburbs

Father – Jim Robson played for UNSW

5. Andrew Calvert – Parramatta District Cricket Club

Father – Paul Calvert played by Parramatta

6. Will Adlam – Mosman

Father – Warwick Adlam played for NSW, Gordon, UTS North Sydney and Mosman

7. Austin Waugh – Randwick Petersham

Father – Steve Waugh played for Australia, NSW and Bankstown

8. Andrew Deitz – Sutherland – wicket keeper

Father – Jason Deitz played for Fairfield Liverpool

9. Blake Smith – Campbelltown Camden District Cricket Club

Father – Graham Smith played for Campbelltown Camden, Bankstown and University of NSW

10. Oli Patterson – Eastern Suburbs

Father – Mark Patterson played for NSW and Waverley/Eastern Suburbs

11. Ned Patterson – Eastern Suburbs

Father – Mark Patterson played for NSW and Waverley/Eastern Suburbs

12. Michael Sullivan – Parramatta

Father – Paul Sullivan played for Hawkesbury

Michael Sullivan and Oli Patterson would open the bowling and be backed up by Scott Rodgie, Austin Waugh and Will Adlam.

The spin attack is Blake Smith right arm off spin and Ned Patterson left arm orthodox

Andrew Deitz is the wicket keeper.

Not a bad balanced team – I’ll let the skipper announce the 12^th man on the day of the game.

If a game were to take place, Jake Wholohan would be one of the umpires. Jake played NSW Premier Cricket for Penrith, Hawkesbury, and Fairfield and is now a first grade umpire. His father, Michael, played for Penrith and Western Suburbs.

There are several other players following in their father’s footsteps in first grade cricket in NSW.

Rob Aitken - While he is currently playing second grade for UTS North Sydney, it wouldn’t be fair to not offer a special mention to Rob. Rob has played over a record-breaking 500 first grade games since making his debut in 1992 and may well add many more to his total number of first grade games.

Father – Bob Aitken for Parramatta.

Adam Bayliss - Penrith Cricket Club

Father – Trevor Bayliss played for NSW and Penrith

Will Fort – Northern District

Father – Tony Fort played for Northern District.

Gus Small – Blacktown Mounties - wicket keeper

Father – Greg Small played for Fairfield, Mosman and Waverley/Eastern Suburbs

Nick Appleton – Campbelltown

Father – Matt Appleton played for Petersham

There may be others, and if I’ve missed some, I apologise. There are also many more playing lower grade cricket, and it’s terrific to see sons following in their fathers cricketing footsteps.