My best Grade team - Adrian Tucker 1986-2006

Adrian Tucker | May 27, 2023

My First Grade career lasted over 20 years and covered three clubs – Balmain, Adelaide and Eastern Suburbs (formerly Waverley).

I have great memories from all there clubs, and would like to formally apologise to Adelaide for not being able to squeeze in any member of our Grand Final team from 1988/89.

Here's my best grade team of players I played with, in batting order:

1. David Warner (Easts) - Batted mostly at 6 in my time playing with him, but I get to choose the order so he opens

2. Brad Haddin ( Easts) - It’s quite a luxury having a keeper that can bat anywhere in the order, especially given the all-rounders I have in the team. By the way he also keeps.

3.  Paul Prichard (Easts) - Had a rich history at Waverley, but I played only one season with him. He was a joy to watch and destructive as well. Handy on the circuit – We’ll have one more then we’ll stay.

4.  Rod Tucker (Balmain) - Class player at grade and First Class level. One of my most joyous moments for NSW was Tucker: Bowled Tucker when he played for Tassie.

5.  Mark Patterson (Easts) and Captain - The spiritual leader of our club for most of my time at Easts. Prolific run scorer who played 2 of the top 4 grade innings I ever saw during the Semis of 2000. Run-out in the GF - tore hamstring.

Honourable mention – Darren Tucker (Balmain)– could have slipped in anywhere from 3-5. Tough luck Tuck

6.  Greg Matthews (Easts) - Lucky to be batting 6 but he did get a test hundred against Richard Hadlee. Between 1984 and 1994 he was a simply an extraordinary cricketer.

7.  Phil Marks (Balmain) - Skid batting 7 tells you what a versatile side this is…he hit ‘em long

8.  Kyle "Tiger" Thompson (Easts) - 2 O’Reilly’s. No more evidence necessary.

9.   Anthony Stuart (Easts) - Bowled his heart out and swung it late. Bowled better the flatter it was.

10. Greg McLay (Balmain) - I hate to say could have been…but he could have been. Bowled a heavy off-spinner

11. Andrew Jones (Balmain) - Selected on the basis of the years he bowled really quick. Not the years spent bowling left arm orthos for the SCG XI

12th man – Adam Smith (Easts) - Excellent Left Arm Orthodox bowler. Entertaining change room presence, where he held court. I have appointed him Treasurer in lieu of playing time.

Manager – The Great Paul Riik (Easts) – you were just as likely to receive a lime cordial when you asked for a helmet, but the sight of that magnificent chassis running out made every spectator happy

Scorer – Brian “Belanglo” Langley (Easts) – Pure, if slightly disturbing entertainment

Umpire – Rod Tucker – Had to recuse himself during the game due to a conflict of interest.