Tara Murray
Matt Perri ticked off another milestone on Saturday as he played game 300 for his beloved Rivergum.
Perri, one of the club’s most decorated players, has played all his cricket at the Kookas.
The club’s current first XI captain, he has also coached the side.
He’s won four senior competition best and fairest awards, including three Bill McFarlane Medals as the North Metro Cricket Association’s best player.
Perri has been part of seven first XI premierships, named best on ground in three of grand finals.
He has made more than 9400 runs and taken 435 wickets.
Perri said it was a special occasion to play game 300.
“It was exciting,” he said. “It makes me feel a bit old.
“To have played them all at one club, that has been such a big part of my life is a proud achievement.
“When it’s all said and done, 300 games is pretty cool.”
Perri said he believes there’s only the third or fourth player at the club to reach 300 games.
He started in juniors at the club and has played through the ranks.
It’s formed some lifelong friendships.
“Jarrod Bannister and Youngy [Daniel Young] I have been mates since we were in under-13s,” he said. “Matt Kiely has been around all the time too.
“To have players I have come through with from under-13s makes it a bit more special.”
Perri said all the premierships were pretty special.
He said the B-grade one was exciting to win by a wicket, while the first Jika Shield one was the most special.
This season it has been a new challenge for the Kookas and Perri with the club making the switch to the Diamond Valley Cricket Association.
Perri said it was a real breath of fresh air for the club.
“We walk into the unknown,” he said. “It’s a new challenge to what we had been doing.
“The numbers have picked up at training and Corey [Altis] is the coach now and it’s been really good.”
Perri who stepped down as coach after last season said he was feeling refreshed with his cricket.
It’s showing in his stats so far. He said he’s hoping he still has few more years in him.
He has made 359 runs for the season so far at an average of nearly 90 and has taken eight wickets.
On Saturday in his milestone game, he made 88.
“I’ve made one 100 this season the last two weeks I’ve made 80s,” he said. “There’s been a bit of lack of concentration and feeling a bit tired.
“I’m feeling pretty good and not having to worry about coaching has been better for me.”
Perri’s runs went a long way to helping the Kookas beat Mill Park in the Mash Shield.
The Kookas made 5-282 before restricting the Tigers to 133.
Altis and Sean Neary took two wickets each.
The Kookas are undefeated after six rounds.
Perri said they were missing four out of their top 11 on Saturday showing depth they have at the club.
“Arun [Balasubramaniam] had made 88 in his first game,” he said. “There is pressure for spots and people are missing out.”
