He plays cricket for Prahran and now champion batsman David Hussey is playing football for it too

CHAMPION cricketer David Hussey has made a comeback to football, turning out for Prahran-Assumption’s Club XVIII team on Saturday mornings.

Prahran Cricket Club hall-of-famers (L-R) Neil “The Hurry Master’’ Schlittler, Bryce McGain, Chris Rogers and David Hussey.

DAVID Hussey would like to say there’s a bit of Luke Hodge about the way he plays football, rugged and skilful.

But he can compare himself to the hardened Hawk only in his dreams.

“I’m not sure anyone could play as wide as what I do,’’ he said with a chortle.

“It would be nice to say I’m a Luke Hodge, silky-smooth skills and gets it in and under, or even a Lenny Hayes because I’m a St Kilda supporter. But that would be completely untrue.’’

Ex-international Hussey plays cricket for Prahran and now he’s playing football for Prahran-Assumption, in the Club XVIII.

He last laced up boots for the Whitfords Under 16 team in Perth.

But in his first match, against Old Geelong at Como Park, he kicked a goal and was named in the best.

He puts that down to former AFL player Adam Chatfield and other teammates feeding the ball to him.

“Just having a bit of fun and a run-around and trying to keep fit and healthy,’’ Hussey said.

“Long story short, I went to Clint McKay’s wedding two weeks ago in Bali and Craig Berger (Prahran player and former Premier cricketer) was there and he said I should start having a kick.

“Just being polite, I said, ‘Yeah, sounds good’. He kept pestering and pestering me and I thought, ‘You know what, I will have a kick actually’. And I’ve had an absolute ball the past two weeks. Loved it. Good bunch of lads.’’

Hussey has only one reservation about playing football again: the 9.30am Saturday starts.

“Bit fresh in the morning,’’ he said. “A little bit early for me but I have a couple of kids so I get up with them and have breakfast and then take of off for the footy and let my wife take over.’’

Hussey has quickly found football has different fitness demands to cricket.

“Massively. You need short, sharp efforts all the time. Like I found out on the weekend when we played Old Xaverians. I was forever chasing my man all over the ground.’’

On the eve of his second game for Prahran-Assumption, Hussey was added to Prahran Cricket Club’s hall of fame, alongside his great mate Neil “Hurry Master’’ Schlittler and fellow internationals Bryce McGain and Chris Rogers.

Seeking big-cricket opportunities he found elusive in WA, Hussey joined the Two Blues in 2001-02, made his first-class debut in 2002-03 and rose to 69 One-Day appearances for Australia and 45 centuries in Sheffield Shield and County cricket.

His first-class average (52.50) shades many batsmen with greater reputations, as Schlittler often points out.

Through it all Hussey has played at Prahran enthusistically and often explosively.

He expects to play a few more Premier matches next season, combining it with a role on the Vics’ coaching staff and his Melbourne Stars commitments.

Hussey said he was “embarrassed’’ but “very privileged’’ to be elevated to the hall of fame.