VTCA 2018-19: Maribyrnong Park St Marys Garry Giese reaches 400 games
MARIBYRNONG Park feels like home for Garry Giese, who recently played the 400th game of a celebrated career with the VTCA club.
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MARIBYRNONG Park feels like home for Garry Giese.
The Maribyrnong Park St Marys stalwart has spent the past 40 years with the Lions, featuring in 400 games and building a reputation as one of the club’s all-time greats.
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The 59-year-old has collected more than 700 wickets, amassed almost 4000 runs and played in two premierships for his beloved club during the past four decades.
“I just love playing cricket,” he said.
“I am just really grateful that the guys down at the club are happy for me to keep playing and giving me a game knowing that my best cricket is probably a long way into the past.
“As much as anything, just gratitude that the club keep playing me and giving me a game each week.”
Such is Giese’s dedication to Maribyrnong Park St Marys, he never thought about playing elsewhere despite moving to Croydon Hills — an 80km round trip — four years ago.
“As much as anything it is just the camaraderie and the friendships I have developed that make it enjoyable playing down there,” he said.
Giese achieved his best bowling figures of 9-52 in 1990-91 and has a highest score of 88.
“In my early days I was an opening bowler who always liked to think he could bat. Batted at number three for a couple of seasons,” he said.
“In my latter years I have been a very, very medium-paced swing bowler who occasionally gets to have a bat.”
Giese said playing alongside his sons Shane and Daniel had been the highlight of his long career with the Lions.
While many of his contemporaries are long retired, Giese has no plans to join them on the sidelines.
“I think for as long as I can walk, as long as I am upright and the guys at the club are happy to keep giving me a game, I am going to keep playing,” he said.
“What better way to spend your Saturday afternoon than our on the park on a lovely sunny day with a group of blokes you really get on well with?”
He featured in a premiership in his second season with the club, 1979-80 and most recently played in a flag in 1992-93.
Giese took eight wickets in the 92-93 decider, arguably the crowning performance of a celebrated career.
“I have said to a few people, I walk out on the park down there and it feels like I am home,” he said.
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