‘Thrown into turmoil’: What Gold Coast’s leading cricketers are up to

He’s a Gold Coast cricket great and former Bulls talisman but even Chris Swan knows the current Dolphins side are treading through an off-season like no other.

HE’S a Gold Coast cricket great and former Bulls talisman but even Chris Swan knows the current Dolphins side are treading through an off-season like no other.

The Queensland Premier Cricket club were knocked out of the first grade competition in the semi-finals in March, just before the season was cancelled due to the coronavirus.

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While that exit would usually be the starter’s gun for the players to disperse far and wide, border shutdowns and social distancing means off-season has truly become one of cricketing isolation.

Dolphins bowler Matthew Kuhnemann. (Photo/Steve Holland)

Queensland star Michael Neser and Hugo Burdon and Scott Palmbo were among those initially destined for various levels of English Country cricket.

Instead they have joined their Dolphins teammates in staying home and, in some cases for the part-time younger player, scrambling for work.

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All that means Swan, 41, has had to find the balance between letting players recharge and checking in on their welfare.

Gold Coast Dolphins vs. Sandgate-Redcliffe. (Photo/Steve Holland)

“Cricket is such a testing game mentally so it’s good to get away and recalibrate,” he said.

“It’s not like a game of footy where it’s over in 90 minutes or so; it can be six hours on a Saturday and another six on Sunday.

“The boys need some space to fall in love with the game again in the off-season.

“But I try to touch base with them to make sure they’re going OK.”

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Even the time-honoured end-of-season awards, a belated chance to let the hair down, was a casualty of the coronavirus.

“Everything has been thrown into turmoil and a lot of our blokes have been impacted too because they’re just casual (at their works),” Swan said.

Dolphins bowler Liam Hope-Shackley celebrates a wicket. (Photo/Steve Holland)

“We try to let everyone sort that out before we worry about training and goals.

“I don’t have all the answers and I haven’t figured out all of life’s little tricks.

“That’s where the mental health side of things comes in and we have such a good group and share the common bond of cricket.

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“We have to have each other’s backs and look after each other.”

Swan said despite the coronavirus uncertainty the club would proceed as per usual towards next season unless told otherwise.

WHAT THE DOLPHINS ARE UP TO

Michael Neser: Was meant to be heading to County side Surrey but can no longer travel.

Hugo Burdon: Had been due for second-tier “village” cricket in England but is now working on a golf course.

Scott Palombo: Like Burdon was due for second-tier “village” cricket.

Matt Kuhnemann: Left-arm spinner was due to stay pu ton the Coast anyway.

Xavier Bartlett: Bulls-contracted quick will spend the time to work on his conditioning.

Josh Kann: Has promised Swan to hit the gym in order to improve the “reliability of his body”.

Liam Hope-Shackley: Gun all-rounder is another to spend the time improving fitness.

Jack Hargraves: Works on a golf course and lives at Kingscliff.

Max Houlahan: Another to work on a golf course.

Lewin Maladay: Works in a gym but that’s closed now.

Nathan Lyons: Studying at uni and Swan says “nothing much has changed”.

Max Bryant: Returned to his family in Cudgen during the lockdown.

Jack Cooper: Young batsman also went back south of the border to Lismore.