Travis Dean best on ground as Bulldogs win grand final

Sheffield Shield winning captain Travis Dean helped Daylesford end a 12-year drought in the Central Highlands. And he had a day out as well.

Daylesford celebrate winning the Central Highlands grand final. Picture: Shane Jones.

When it comes to big time performances former Victorian cricketer Travis Dean knows how to deliver.

The 32-year-old was best on ground for Daylesford as the Bulldogs won their first premiership in 12 years in the Central Highlands against Bungaree.

Dean, who played 72 first class matches in his career, was part of three Sheffield Shield victories for the Big V and made a century in his first final in 2015/16.

In 2018/19 he was captain of the championship winning team.

Dean in the CHFL final was a threat in the midfield and was a leading player in the contest.

But he admits it was a surprise to win the award.

“Pretty happy with the win, not so sure about the best on ground medal, I think there were better players on the ground than me, but I’ll take it nonetheless, it’s a tremendous honour,” he said.

“I thought Jordan Schroder had it booked in.”

While the grand final itself was sunny, the conditions resembled a winter footy game with a strong breeze towards one end and rain and hail falling before the match start.

A Daylesford supporter waves the Bulldogs flag. Picture: Shane Jones.

Bungaree chose to kick against the breeze, which gave Daylesford the chance to build a lead.

The Bulldogs kicked two goals in the first term before holding out Bungaree in the second term to have a six-point lead at the main break.

Daylesford broke the game open in the third term with three goals to storm out to a 27-point lead at the final change.

Despite Bungaree hitting back early, the Bulldogs held on, kicked two late goals and won their first premiership since 2012.

Andrew Panayi kicked three goals for the Bulldogs.

“We were a but surprised they ended up kicking with the breeze in the first quarter,” Dean said.

“They gave us a sniff into what their tactics were going to be.

“It suited us down to the ground.

“We get a bit of a run on early and then lock the game done when which we’ve done over the past few weeks when we won.”

And that’s exactly what happened.

Dean said he couldn’t believe he won the premiership in his first year back in footy for a decade.

And if time allows, he’ll be back next year.

“I haven’t played footy for ten years,” he said.

“It’s about getting my boots on the ground and just having a bit of fun, enjoying myself and playing with a few mates and obviously my brother.

“To win the premiership, I didn’t plan for that, it was the cherry on top.

“I’ll look to play (next year) but if I play it will be at Daylesford and nowhere else.”