Joe McGuire makes good impression in Heatherhill debut under Dermott Brereton
Eddie McGuire’s son Joe got more than he bargained for when he played in Dermott Brereton’s Heatherhill Fourth XI in the MPCA on Saturday.
South East
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Eddie McGuire’s son Joe played in Heatherhill’s fourths on Saturday — and he might have made club history even before he took the field.
According to the side’s skipper, Dermott Brereton, the debutant arrived at the game against Carrum Downs at Baxter Park No 7 in grand style.
“Young Joe is the first Heatherhill cricketer to ever arrive at the match catching a Uber from Toorak to Baxter No 7,’’ Derm chuckled.
“We thought Ed might send the helicopter but, no, he got an Uber.”
Dermott roped Joe in when his Heatherhill side was “desperately short” of a bowler and, having played against the young McGuire in a media game last year, Derm knew of his talent.
“He’s a bloody good bowler,” Dermott said.
Derm said Joe, who took 0-61 off 15 overs with his medium pace, was unlucky not to get a wicket, with a couple of catches being grassed.
But, more importantly, he was popular with his new teammates and thoroughly enjoyed the day.
And he even encountered some new experiences, as Derm explained.
“It was quite funny with young Joe,” he said.
“He was ready to run into bowl and somebody out on Sages Rd decided to take off out of a street fairly quickly, got into a bit of sideways action and an almighty skid noise ensued — and young Joe said, ‘what’s that?’.
“I said, ‘sorry mate, you won’t be used to those sounds around Georges Rd, Toorak’.
“But he loves it, he had a ball with the guys and they really took to him because he’s such a lovely young man. I can’t speak highly enough of him and he bowled pretty well to without claiming a scalp.”
The game was significant for another reason — it was champion John Hille’s 300th appearance for Heatherhill.
And the great man might be called on to weave some magic with the willow when the game resumes on Saturday, with the Hills chasing a hefty 246.
“WE DON’T WANT TO GIVE UP — EVER”
Dermott says he’s having the time of his life playing cricket, a sport he loved playing as a kid before footy took over.
His Fourth XI side includes some of his best mates and nothing is taken too seriously.
Derm is still laughing about last week’s fielding display.
“To be honest…we said in 40 years we have never laughed so much in the field, we just had the funniest, best time,” Derm said.
“It was hilarious. We don’t want to give up — ever. Even if we don’t have to bat or bowl, we just love being in the field laughing at each other,” he said.
And off the ground, it’s good fun, too.
“John (Hille) and I shout the opposition team an esky full of beer after each day’s play at Baxter No 7,” he said.
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DERMOTT BRERETON PRODUCES DAZZLING BATTING DISPLAY
“We get a good crowd for a club Fourth XI game.”