Premier Cricket: Casey South Melbourne captain Luke Shelton reflects on the Swans’ devastating defeat

For every elated Blue, there was a “gutted” Swan. Casey South Melbourne captain Luke Shelton speaks on the flipside to the Premier Cricket decider, how his group will grow and the performance of his star opener.

Nathan Lambden celebrates the wicket of Blue Michael Archer. Picture: Andy Brownbil

As Carlton celebrated the ecstasy of Sunday’s Victorian Premier Cricket grand final, Casey South Melbourne felt the agony.

Swans skipper Luke Shelton said his group was short for words after the reverse-outright loss to the Blues, each silently coming to terms with the defeat.

“To be honest, I don’t reckon anyone spoke for about 15 minutes after the game, we were all sitting in our own little spots pretty flat,” Shelton said.

“It took its toll on everyone in the room and supporters.

“Will (Carr) spoke for a bit, he was great, he took the brunt of it.”

Shelton said there was “a million things over the three days” his group could have done to prevent the eventual result but ultimately failed to contain Carlton’s momentum in the final session.

“In the end, they had it at the back end when it was there to win and we couldn’t stop it.”

The moment Casey South Melbourne took first-innings points. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Instead of letting the heartbreaking loss derail the Swans, Shelton insists his group will be back.

“We’re definitely close, we’re so close. We’ve played in two of the last three grand finals and were in very strong winning positions in both, we know we’re not far away,” he said.

“We have to reflect and keep this group together as much as possible and potentially add a little bit if we feel that’s the need.

“We’re not planning on going anywhere, we just have to reflect on some individual and team moments.

“The group is very determined, we’re sticking fat and going to make sure we’re in that position again because we are very close.

“I know winning is the be all and end all and we’re super gutted but if I am going to lose a grand final like that with anyone, it would be with those blokes, they’re awesome.

“We’ll stick at it and go again but it’s a great club and great bunch of people.”

Ashley Chandrasinghe accepting his John Scholes Medal for best on ground. Pictures: Graeme Diggle

The Swans were in a winning position courtesy of star left-hander Ashley Chandrasinghe’s marathon innings.

Seeing off 209 deliveries for 103 runs, Chandrasinghe became the fourth player in competition history to carry his bat in a final.

Chandrasinghe won the praise of Carlton’s top quick and while Shelton recognises his importance to the Swans, the captain wants to see less of his star opener next summer.

“After the game we had a beer with all the Carlton players and Stevo (Cam Stevenson) said to me that he’s (Chandrasinghe) the only guy in Premier Cricket that when he’s running in to bowl, he’s running in for no reason at all because he’s just not going to get him out,” he said.

“I don’t think blokes know how to or what the plan is, they just rely on him to make a mistake and you rarely get them.

“He’s so important to us but at the same time, Cricket Victoria probably need to just bite the bullet and say ‘this kid should be playing Shield cricket’.

“He’s the best young batter in the state in my opinion, he’s too good to be running around for us every Saturday.”