Simon Dart reflects on ‘ruthless’ Red Hill and how it became the MPCA’s best

Red Hill’s journey from the MPCA’s Sub-District to Provincial is complete. Hillmen great Simon Dart speaks on the journey, this season’s turning point, that dismissal and his future.

Red Hill are kings of the MPCA.

As Red Hill celebrated its centenary in February, club great Simon Dart “planted the seed” among the current playing group.

The Hillmen were fourth on the Mornington Peninsula Provincial ladder at the time, barrelling towards a top-flight finals berth after three flags in 10 years.

Dart said as the club celebrated its great players and teams, he wanted to note the opportunity in front of the existing side.

“We saw these great players and teams rolled out in front of us and I did plant the seed that night to say ‘it’s our moment now, it’s our opportunity’,” he said.

Red Hill then started to play with a “ruthless” edge and it hit its peak on Sunday when the Hillmen defeated Pines by 102 runs to be crowned the MPCA’s best.

“We were ruthless over the weekend and even over the past three months, we really had a sole purpose after that centenary night to hone in on the opportunity in front of us,” he said.

“We galvanised as a group to put sides under pressure and it was infectious, we were ruthless.

“As an older statesmen it’s so refreshing to have young people around to keep you in check and have so much fun.

“We are all business on the ground but are all laugh, enjoyment and investment into each other off the ground.

“We’ve now got something to celebrate for many years and years to come … it’s a beautiful thing.”

Dart (far right) has won four flags with the Hillmen.

Since Dart joined Red Hill in 2012, the Hillmen have held four cups aloft to rise from Sub-District to premiers of Provincial.

“We’ve been on a journey; the aim was to build something special,” he said.

“We wanted to build a culture and if we could have some success along the way, that was a bonus.

“From there I’ve seen boys grow into men, they’re engaged, married, have kids, I have seen them grow up in front of my eyes and cricket has been a vehicle.

“We’ve got a fantastic community feel and relationship-based strong bond.

“That connection was strong on the weekend and over the last 10 years, we’ve grown up together and achieved something very special.”

Red Hill batter Luke Jackson. Picture: Valeriu Campan

After a superb Premier Cricket career and Dart said he went to Red Hill with the aim of transforming it into a “mini Melbourne”.

“I sit very comfortable today having achieved something very special with this group,” he said.

“I have been fortunate enough to be involved in some very successful cricket clubs and people and for me, Melbourne Cricket Club is the pinnacle.

“That club I think is one of the best in the land and I wanted to make Red Hill a mini Melbourne, that was one of my mindsets when I started.

“I wanted to create an inviting, focused and determined club that wanted to grow and I learnt all that at Melbourne Cricket Club.

“Reflecting on those achievements there, it fuelled the fire to do something at a country cricket club and build a similar product where you want to drop your bag at home and get to the cricket club.

“It’s purely relationship based, you’re only as good as your people, the better the people the better the outcome.”

Dart has taken the Hillmen from Sub-District to to premiers of Provincial. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Dart made 55 for the Hillmen on Saturday before Chris Dew captured 5-32 on Sunday.

Dart’s innings came to an end prematurely after he was given out obstructing the field, swatting away a return throw.

He said didn’t think it was out but moved on from it quickly.

“It was just passion spilling over. I love all that, I love the contest, I love a challenge,” he said.

“I probably should’ve done it differently, I was disappointed at the time I thought it was the wrong decision but I had a focus to the group of ‘it’s play on boys’.

“It didn’t affect our group, we had our eyes on the prize.

“I think it changed the mood around the ground, changed the game, it got a bit more spiteful off the ground as well.

“For the record I think it was not out but in the end, who cares we got the w.”

Dart believes “you’re only as good as your people”.

As for whether the 46-year-old will go on, he says he will “reflect it” in coming weeks but his love for the challenge will always remain.

“There’s a part of me that wants to defend it,” he said.

Dart was full of praise for all his teammates but singled out Chris Weekes for his leadership and Glenn Collett and Chris Dew for their “out of this world outstanding” final three months of the season.