Tara Murray
Bundoora United’s Mathew Ross has attended the Diamond Valley Cricket Association awards night for many years and always walked away empty handed.
Missing this season’s awards due to other commitments, Ross wasn’t thinking much about the awards, until his phone started to go off.
There reason for all the messages, Ross had won the John Gleeson Medal on 20 votes as the best player in the Money Shield.
Ross said he was stunned to win the medal.
“It was a bit of a surprise to be honest,” he said. “I usually go to the awards every year, I didn’t go this year and got messages towards the end of the night saying I was going well.
“I didn’t think too much about it as I barely ever vote, it was a very big surprise.”
Ross, who also won the Money Shield batting award, averaging 65.50, said he considered himself lucky to get so many votes.
He said it was his teammates who allowed him to go about his job with ease.
“We skittled a few sides for low scores and I was able to go about business slow and steady, not your normal one-day cricket,” he said.
“I polled in games when we didn’t have to chase many runs. I was a bit shocked.”
Making Ross’ win even more of a surprise, he barely trained throughout the season after him and his partner had a baby.
The club’s former captain-coach said his priorities lay elsewhere this season.
“I would get there to play on Saturday,” he said. “There was a shift in mindset. I don’t feel like I did anything different other than not train.
“I didn’t put time into my game, but I’ve played for so long and understand my game a little bit more.”
It’s the third time in four seasons a Bulldogs player has won the John Gleeson Medal.
Joel Thompson won the award last season, while Scott Barnett won it for the 2018-19 season.
Ross, Thompson and teammates Riley Gaylard and Lee Solar were all named in the Money Shield team of the year.
Ross’ medal win is a highlight for the Bulldogs after a disappointing end to the season.
After finishing top, the Bulldogs were knocked out in straight sets.
Ross said they had a really good core group of players who were keen to taste premiership glory.
“We were a bit disappointed with the way we finished,” he said.
“We have been in and around the mark the last few years. The desire always burns away.
“We have a fair bit of improvement to put ourselves in contention again.”
In other awards, Diamond Creek’s Dan Gilbert was awarded the Ray Christesen Medal as the best player in Barclay Shield.
Epping’s Todd Hughes was named in the Barclay Shield team of the year.
Hurstbridge all-rounder Kusal Edussooriya won the Duckworth Turner Medal as the best player in Mash Shield.
