Keeping on: Ben Vague appointed coach of Melbourne in Premier Cricket
Former Victorian captain Darren Berry was quick to extend his congratulations to his long-time friend and former teammate Ben Vague after the Demons appointed him their new senior coach.
Inner South
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When Ben Vague was announced as Melbourne’s new senior coach, one of the first calls of congratulations came from his boyhood hero, Darren “Chuck’’ Berry.
They go back a long way, and all the way to Wonthaggi in South Gippsland.
Vague’s father, Dennis, taught Berry at Wonthaggi High School and they became close.
The Vague family would often drive to Melbourne to watch Berry play Sheffield Shield cricket for Victoria.
Young Ben would don gardening gloves in the backyard as he imagined becoming a wicketkeeper just like Berry.
A few years later he did, at Wonthaggi Workmans Club, the cricketing cradle of another first-class player, Ian Harvey.
A state Under 17 squad member, Vague joined Subbies club Malvern when he was in Year 12.
And the following season, at the urging of Berry, he crossed to Northcote. Berry was keeping for the Dragons in between his Victorian commitments and took the youngster as his understudy.
Debuting in 2003-04, Vague played 56 matches for Northcote in between some injuries, and later crossed to Melbourne, where he managed one First XI appearance.
He had one season under Adam Dale’s coaching but over the years they stayed in contact.
When Dale returned as coach three years ago, he asked Vague to assist him. And when Dale stood down at the end of last season he endorsed the 35-year-old as his successor.
Aside from helping Dale, Vague also oversaw the club’s Will Pucovski Academy for young cricketers.
When the Demons ratified the appointment, calls and messages came in, and Berry was one of the first to make contact.
“He was quite emotional, actually. He said he was incredibly proud,’’ Vague said.
“He’s always taken a keen interest in my life. He and my dad are best mates, and he’s been close to our family and he’s always been there for me.
“I’ve always admired his leadership, and his cricket brain. It’s sad that he hasn’t progressed further, because his knowledge of the game is second to none.’’
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Vague, a senior account manager with Seek, said it was a “great privilege and honour to take over the job at such a prestigious cricket club, and I’m just grateful for the opportunity’’.
“Couldn’t be any more excited about it, or the challenge,’’ he said.
“Obviously they’re pretty bizarre circumstances, taking over during a global health pandemic, but I’m ready for it — I loved my time under Adam and learnt a lot under his guidance — and can’t wait to get started.’’
Vague will head a coaching panel that includes the experienced Greg Shipperd (batting coach). Victorian great Cameron White remains as captain.
“I personally believe the best coaches are the best people managers,’’ he said.
“So I think my greatest strength will be my ability to relate to the players and have really strongest relationships with all the players on the list.
“I’m really fortunate as a first-year coach that Cameron will be there as captain and Greg as the batting coach, two really experienced and good educators when it comes to teaching skills of cricket.
“We’re still chatting to people in regards to being a bowling coach … we do want the best out there.’’
The Demons have lost pace bowlers Chris Tremain (returning to NSW) and Jackson Coleman (Footscray), left-arm spinner Sean Sturrock and former captain Matthew Brown, who is returning to Subbies club Kew..
Vague said the club had some exciting young players – it will have Campbell Kellaway, Henry Brown (Matthew’s brother) and Darcy Munro full-time next season – and they would be given opportunities.
Melbourne promoted teenagers Fergus O’Neill and Marcus Jackman last season and both caught the eye, swing bowler O’Neill grabbing a hat-trick and Jackman playing two resolute innings.