A Victorian Turf Cricket Association one-day match between Brunswick and Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows is set to be a star-studded event.
Normally, the one-day competition involves a lot of older cricketers a little past their prime, and young children coming into the game, but the match later this month between the Magpies and Falcons will field several sub-district and premier cricket stars.
The brainchild of Magpies’ treasurer Brenton Allan, the match is now bigger than first imagined. It will be the first time the clubs have played each other in the VTCA, despite a long rivalry in sub-district cricket.
“I guess I saw Roxburgh Park had put on a strong one-day side, which includes Jody Hutchinson and Heath Pritchard, and thought they were too strong for this competition,” Allan said. “I called Ben Wood [Falcons president] and said, if you put out the best team on the park possible, we would do the same with our team.
“Ben recruited the best players from the [Subbies] west group, so we have gone a little further outside the area.”
Allan said the Brunswick team would resemble a Brunswick all-stars 11, with several premier cricket stars returning for the match.
“Most of the players have been in rep sides and multiple teams of the year. I had to pull out the big guns for the match,” he said. “Many have played for Brunswick and have strong family history with the club. The fathers of three or four of the players are life members.”
Former Victorian player Louis Cameron will play for the Magpies, along with young guns Cameron Stevenson and Liam Molloy.
Magpies’ first 11 captain David McKay will captain the club in the 36-over match. McKay’s brother, former Australian cricketer and current Victorian Bushranger, Clint McKay could also make an appearance.
Falcons’ president Ben Wood said he jumped at the idea.
“Brenton and I had a conversation at 2pm Friday; by 9pm that night I had eight or nine players wanting to play,” Wood said.
“Brunswick challenged us and we want to make it a showcase. Credit to Anthony Gale and Brad Jones, they jumped on board in 10 minutes, and then everyone else wanted to play.”
The two clubs are hoping that the match can be a regular fixture in future years.
“I think it has got the hallmarks of something that could be done every year,” Allan said.
“Most importantly, it’s about getting people down to what should be a really good match, and we are excited to get past players and their families back at the club.
Wood added: “Hopefully, we can host the game next year.
“This is about giving back to the game.”
The game will be held at Gillon Oval on November 22 from noon.
Who’s put their hands up so far:
Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows
Jody Hutchinson (captain)
David Kirk (Melton CC)
Brad Jones (Melton CC)
Anthony Gale (Melton CC)
Matthew Love (Yarraville CC)
Aaron Maynard (Altona CC)
Steve Goodwin (former RPBCC)
Adam Yates (RPBCC)
Mitchell Streiff (RPBCC)
Brunswick
David McKay (Brunswick CC)
Louis Cameron (Essendon CC)
Cam Stevenson (Carlton CC)
Leigh Brennan (Brunswick CC)
Karl Mayne (Brunswick CC)
Gordon Pritchard (former Brunswick CC)
Tim Knox (former Carlton CC, former BCC)
Liam Molloy (Essendon CC)
Dean Peter-Budge (former Carlton CC, BCC)
Ryan Billinghurst (Sunbury United)
More information: www.facebook.com/events/761074677349032/
